Vanderbilt fined $500,000 by SEC for allowing fans to storm court after victory over Kentucky

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Vanderbilt fans storm the court after the team’s win against Kentucky in an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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Vanderbilt fans storm the court after the team’s win against Kentucky in an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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Vanderbilt fans storm the court after the team’s win against Kentucky in an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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Vanderbilt fans storm the court after the team’s win in an NCAA college basketball game against Tennessee, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Vanderbilt was fined $500,000 by the Southeastern Conference on Sunday for allowing fans to storm the court Saturday after the Commodores’ 74-69 victory over No. 9 Kentucky.

Vanderbilt was penalized for a third offense under the conference’s revised access to competition area policy. The fine will be paid to the University of Kentucky.

The first violation — and a $100,000 fine — came when fans stormed the football field after a 40-35 victory over Alabama in October. The second — and a $250,000 fine — came a week ago after fans rushed onto the court in celebration of a victory over No. 6 Tennessee.

Additional offenses also will carry $500,000 fines.

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