Big 12 announces new in-game protocols for discriminatory chants

SALT LAKE CITY — The Big 12 Conference issued a fine to UCF for derogatory chants during last Saturday’s football game against BYU.

Chants of “(Expletive) the Mormons” emerged from the Bounce House in Orlando on multiple occasions. That led the Big 12 Conference to issue a $100,000 fine to the Knights and also introduce new policies for what the league calls “discriminatory chants.”

The Big 12 acknowledged that UCF took immediate actions to combat the chants and even removed individuals responsible for the conduct. Still, the chants have been an ongoing topic within the league since the winter of 2025.

UCF joins Arizona, Colorado, Cincinnati, and Oklahoma State as Big 12 institutions where derogatory chants have occurred at sporting events against BYU.

To end the chants, the league is rolling out new measures that include a $100,000 fine; if the chants occur a second time in a game, it will result in a 15-yard penalty in a football game and a two-shot technical foul in a basketball game.

Big 12 Conference’s new policies for discriminatory chants

From the Big 12’s statement:

In conjunction with this action, the Big 12 is implementing an updated Conference-wide policy establishing escalating consequences for discriminatory conduct at athletic events effective immediately, which includes:

• A confirmed first incident during a game will result in an automatic minimum $100,000 fine.
• A formal warning will follow the first incident, providing the institution an opportunity to immediately address the behavior and prevent further incidents.
• A second confirmed incident during the same game will result in an in-game competitive penalty, e.g., a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty in football or an unsportsmanlike two-shot technical foul in basketball, and may result in an additional $500,000 fine.
• Individuals ejected for discriminatory conduct will be prohibited from attending all athletic events for the remainder of the academic year and are subject to applicable University fan/student conduct policies.

The Big 12 remains committed to providing a respectful environment for student-athletes, coaches and fans. Discriminatory conduct will not be tolerated, and the Conference will continue working with its member institutions to prevent such behavior and ensure meaningful consequences when incidents occur.

BYU’s next road game will be November 7 at rival Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

BYU football is 6-1 overall this season and 3-1 in Big 12 play.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSL and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.

Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.

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