Forfeiting games and banning the bowl are already among the options under discussion by the SEC to deter fans from storming the fields and stadiums after big wins, Commissioner Greg Sankey confirmed to Sports Illustrated.
“You have to take responsibility for the safety of the visiting team,” Sankey said. “We talk about risks for the fans. Risks for people jumping over walls. Risks for both teams. Risks for the officials. That’s the kind of conversation the adults in the room had. The adults will keep talking.”
Increasing fines and losing a future home game are also among the ideas floated in Sports Illustrated Previously mentioned; However, the conference’s five- and six-figure fines to deter on-field and court intrusions have proven inadequate in recent years, leading to sharper considerations.
Twice in October 2022, fans stormed the field After SEC football games, despite the fact that their schools would incur six-figure fines for celebrating. Currently being awarded $50,000 for the first offense, $100,000 for the second offense and $250,000 for each other case thereafter. This policy went into effect prior to the 2015-2016 academic year.
“I don’t think just passing a rule can stop it,” Sankey said. “People have to stop it.” “Does a good system change behavior? Yes. Can you stop it? Absolutely. You can send teams into the stands to celebrate with fans. We see that a lot in basketball. You can educate your fans: stay off the floor, we’ll come to you and let’s celebrate this way.”
“There are positive ways to engage in post-match celebration that don’t involve rushing down the field and tearing up the goal.”
No official changes were proposed, however. The SEC’s annual spring meetings are slated for late May and early June in Destin, Fla., and could be the venue where the league votes on a new sanctioning structure. A three-person group of Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne, Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks, and Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart has been tasked with developing proposals on the issue.