BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southeastern Conference fined Ole Miss $500,000 on Friday for violating league policy that prohibits fans from coming onto basketball courts to celebrate immediately after wins, but the league also said it needs to consider reducing or eliminating future penalties if a school does its part to adjust fan behavior and is then ignored by a small group who storm the playing area anyway.
“A small number of fans” rushed the court after the Rebels’ 78-76 victory over No. 4 Tennessee in men’s basketball Wednesday, according to the SEC’s release announcing the fine. The school also was cited for a game interruption because an object was thrown onto the court.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey praised Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter and his staff for their efforts while trying to keep fans in check.
“It was encouraging to see the vast majority of fans obey the new policy by remaining in the stands,” Sankey said. “It is disappointing that a small number of fans have created this problem, but the postgame court incursion by fans who disregarded the policy violates the expectations of the access to competition area policy.
“As the conference continues to review field rushing and court storming policy, we need to consider all that is now being done to adjust fan behavior including reducing or removing financial penalties when the administrative leadership is ignored by a small group of people.”