OXFORD – The next time Ole Miss fans storm the field at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, it will cost the school a quarter of a million dollars.
The Southeastern Conference announced new – and much harsher -- field-storming rules on Friday at the league's annual spring meetings.
Per the new policy, first-time field storming offenders will be slapped with a $50,000 fine. Schools will pay $100,000 for a second offense and $250,000 for third-time and any other subsequent offenses.
Previously, the league rules gave out a $5,000 fine for the first offense, $25,000 for the second and $50,000 for the third. The penalties would also reset after three years. No more.
Ole Miss had to write a $50,000 check to the SEC last October, when its fans committed their third offense and stormed the field after the Rebels beat then-No. 3 Alabama.
Schools don't get a blank slate with the new rules, so the Rebels would have to fork over the full $250,000 if it happens again.
The Southeastern Conference announced new – and much harsher -- field-storming rules on Friday at the league's annual spring meetings.
Per the new policy, first-time field storming offenders will be slapped with a $50,000 fine. Schools will pay $100,000 for a second offense and $250,000 for third-time and any other subsequent offenses.
Previously, the league rules gave out a $5,000 fine for the first offense, $25,000 for the second and $50,000 for the third. The penalties would also reset after three years. No more.
Ole Miss had to write a $50,000 check to the SEC last October, when its fans committed their third offense and stormed the field after the Rebels beat then-No. 3 Alabama.
Schools don't get a blank slate with the new rules, so the Rebels would have to fork over the full $250,000 if it happens again.