SEC fines Vanderbilt $500,000 for fans storming court after win vs. Kentucky men's hoops

The SEC has fined Vanderbilt $500,000 for fans storming the court at Memorial Gymnasium after the Commodores men’s basketball team upset No. 9 Kentucky 74-69 on Saturday. It’s Vanderbilt’s third offense under the SEC’s revised court-storming policy, which was updated in 2023.

Vandy’s trio of fines total $850,000 since October. The first offense was $100,000 for a field storming after football’s win over No. 1 Alabama on Oct.



5, and the second fine was $250,000 for a court storming after the men’s basketball upset of No. 6 Tennessee on Jan. 18.

Under SEC rules, the fines are paid to the opposing institution, meaning the $500,000 will be paid to Kentucky. Advertisement Vanderbilt athletic director Candice Lee was reportedly on the sideline in the final minutes of Saturday’s win asking students not to storm the court to avoid another fine, telling students the school could use the saved funds for future name, image, likeness (NIL) payments to athletes. Her appeals did not work.

Any subsequent fines for court and field stormings would also cost Vanderbilt another $500,000 for each offense. Vanderbilt’s victory Saturday was the first over Kentucky at Memorial Gymnasium since 2016. Required reading (Photo: Johnnie Izquierdo / Getty Images).