UCFC Pays $100,000 to Big 12 After Fan Chants Target BYU
The conference also unveiled new rules that impose on-game penalties for repeated discriminatory behavior at future events.
By Abena Mensah ·
The University of Central Florida agreed to pay a $100,000 fine to the Big 12 Conference on Wednesday.
The penalty follows derogatory chants directed at BYU football players during a game last Saturday in Orlando. The conference cited discriminatory conduct by fans as the reason for the monetary penalty.
In a news release, the Big 12 stated that UCF followed established protocols by removing some spectators from the stadium. The organization added that discriminatory behavior has no place in the league. While the official statement did not specify the exact lyrics, videos shared online show fans chanting, "f, the Mormons."
The conference announced that the $100,000 will fund student education initiatives. It also introduced a new policy framework for handling in-game penalties related to discriminatory conduct.
Under the updated rules, a first offense carries a minimum fine of $100,000 and a formal warning. A second confirmed incident during the same game triggers an in-game penalty. The league cited a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty in football or a two-shot technical foul in basketball as potential consequences.
If the behavior continues, teams face an additional $500,000 fine. Fans removed for discriminatory conduct are banned from all athletic events for the remainder of the academic year. Oklahoma State previously paid a $50,000 fine earlier this year for similar chants during a men's basketball game against BYU.
Source: WOFL
