Big 12 Conference fines UCF and implements new fan conduct rules

The Big 12 Conference has issued a $100,000 fine to UCF following a review of discriminatory chants directed at BYU during a recent football game. The fine will be allocated toward student education initiatives. While the conference acknowledged that UCF followed pregame protocols and took immediate action to remove responsible individuals, it stated that discriminatory behavior has no place in the league.

In response to the incident, the Big 12 is implementing a new conference-wide policy with escalating consequences for discriminatory conduct at athletic events, effective immediately. Under the new rules, a first confirmed incident during a game will trigger an automatic minimum $100,000 fine and a formal warning. A second confirmed incident during the same game will result in an in-game competitive penalty—such as a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty in football or a technical foul in basketball—and may incur an additional $500,000 fine.

Furthermore, individuals ejected for discriminatory conduct will be prohibited from attending all athletic events for the remainder of the academic year and remain subject to university conduct policies.