SEC raises fines for rushing the field, court after big wins

The SEC is raising fines for schools when their fans rush the playing field after a football or basketball game.

In the past, it would take three instances of storming the field before a school would be fined $500,000. Now, it will be half a million dollars for each offense.

“The motivation was ‘field rushing is field rushing, the first time or the 18th time. The random nature of, if you’re the one getting rushed, it doesn’t feel good. It might be the first time (it happened) there, but it might be your sixth time in a row, literally.”

Greg Sankey, SEC Commissioner

Field rushing

Texas A&M fans, look away 😳

The Aggies fell in 4OT to Auburn in excruciatingly devastating fashion.

🎥 @AuburnFootballpic.twitter.com/YEF2NML7NZ

— The Athletic CFB (@TheAthleticCFB) November 24, 2024

The conference has tried to put an emphasis on slowing down the event in recent years, citing player safety. Back in 2013, Auburn was fined just $5,000 for storming the field after the famous Kick Six win over Alabama.

In more recent years, the SEC used a scale for field storming punishments:

• First offense: $100,000
• Second offense: $250,000
• Third and subsequent offenses: $500,000

To add insult to the financial injury, those fines would be paid out to the opposing team. But that system has not seemed to slow fans when they are in the moment, reacting to a big win.

During the 2024-25 academic year, several schools were fined including Vanderbilt and Ole Miss having to pay the $500,000 fine. Auburn had to pay a $100,00 fine after storming the field when its football team beat Texas A&M in overtime.

The conference’s policy states “institutions shall limit access to competition areas to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel and properly credentialed or authorized individuals at all times. For the safety of participants and spectators alike, at no time before, during or after a contest may spectators enter the competition area.”

The conference said it also has the authority to waive the fine if the visiting team and officials are allowed to get to the locker room before fans enter the playing field.

“We try to set some expectations to the fan base of ‘We’ll welcome your celebration, but let’s let the team from the visiting institution and the officials depart.”

Greg Sankey

What do you think of the new SEC policy? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.