Big 12 Fines UCF $100,000 Over Anti Mormon Chants

The Big 12 Conference has fined the University of Central Florida $100,000 after fans directed derogatory chants at Brigham Young University and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during a football game last weekend. Announced Wednesday, the penalty accompanies a new conference-wide policy imposing escalating sanctions for discriminatory conduct at sporting events.

According to the conference, proceeds from the UCF fine will fund student education initiatives. The decision follows several similar incidents involving fans targeting BYU, a university affiliated with the faith commonly known as the Mormon church.

Video shared on social media showed UCF fans chanting an anti-Mormon slur before Saturday's kickoff. University security removed some fans from the stadium during the game, which UCF ultimately won in overtime.

The conference's new policy establishes an automatic minimum fine of $100,000 and a warning after the first confirmed incident of discriminatory conduct. A second incident during the same game can trigger an in-game penalty, including a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in football or a two-shot technical foul in basketball.

The Big 12 also said schools could face fines of up to $500,000 under the policy. Fans ejected for discriminatory behavior will be barred from attending athletic events for the remainder of the academic year and may face additional university disciplinary measures.

UCF athletics spokesman Adam Widman said the university was evaluating its response after learning of the league's decision.

"After becoming aware of the conference's decision, we will be reviewing our options," UCF athletics spokesman Adam Widman said in an email Wednesday night.

The latest penalty adds to a series of disciplinary actions involving derogatory chants directed at BYU supporters. In September, Colorado State apologized after its fans targeted the university and the Mormon church with similar chants.

In February, the Big 12 fined Oklahoma State $50,000 following inappropriate chants during a men's basketball game against BYU. Colorado received a $50,000 fine a year earlier for similar behavior at a football game.

Comparable incidents also occurred at an Arizona men's basketball game during the 2024-25 season and a Cincinnati football game in November 2025. Neither university received a fine for those incidents.

BYU, ranked No. 8 with a 6-1 overall record and a 3-1 mark in Big 12 play, is scheduled to host Arizona State on Saturday. The Cougars will then visit No. 6 Utah, which holds a 7-0 overall record and a 4-0 conference record, on Nov. 7 for the Holy War rivalry game.