• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Vanderbilt Has Racked Up $850,000 in Fines for Court Storming This School Year

Vanderbilt had a huge football season and is having a strong basketball season, but big wins have come at a cost to the Nashville school known for its academics.

Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

There’s an old adage in sports: Act like you’ve been there before. Vanderbilt may not have heard it.

The Commodores upset No. 9 Kentucky on Saturday 74-69 to improve to 16–4, after being picked last in the Southeastern Conference preseason poll. 

It was Vanderbilt’s second top-10 win in the past week, and it ended with students storming the court, just as they did after Vanderbilt took down Tennessee last Saturday.  

Conference rules fine schools for storming the court or field, and Vanderbilt, a school known for its academics, has been the SEC’s biggest offender. 

In the fall, students stormed the football field after the Commodores beat No. 5 Alabama in what was one of the biggest wins in school history. The result was a $100,000 fine, which went to Alabama, per conference rules. (Alabama earned $400,000 from field-storming fines this past football season, as all three of its losses saw the winning fan base end up on the field.) 

A second offense in the same school year costs a school $250,000, and that went to Tennessee. Saturday made the Commodores a third-time offender, resulting in a $500,000 fine, which goes to Kentucky.

That’s $850,000 in court-storming fines Vanderbilt owes from this academic year so far. 

The school tried to stop it: Vanderbilt athletic director Candice Lee was seen in Memorial Gymnasium’s student section asking students not to rush the court because of the financial bite it would take on the department’s ability to recruit. 

Let us use the money for NIL to make a great team next year,” Lee said, according to The Vanderbilt Hustler, the school’s student paper. 

As third-time offenders, Vanderbilt will continue to get fined $500,000 for any further court-storming fines for the rest of the season.

Vanderbilt coach Mark Byington said he has no issue with the court-storming for now, but hopes the program gets to a place where big wins are expected and routine. 

“There’s big picture things I wanted to happen around here, and at one point I want it to be where we’re not surprised, and we don’t feel like the underdog in these games, and we’re going into them knowing that our program is good and we expect to win,” Byington said. “We’re not there yet. So let the fans enjoy it. We’ve got to start a GoFundMe page or something to pay fines. We’ll figure it out.”

The Commodores could still recoup all these fines by qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. Teams that make the Big Dance get around $2 million.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.

Blue Jays $280M Payroll Pays Off With a Trip to the World..

Toronto is back in the Fall Classic for the first time in 32 years.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl talks with his players against the Florida Gators in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.

Bruce Pearl: ‘The One Thing’ I Miss About Coaching

FOS interviewed ex-Auburn coach on his move to TNT Sports.

Featured Today

@chef__tezz/Instagram

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
October 16, 2025

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
BYU

BYU Lost Its Star QB This Summer. Now It’s One of the..

The Cougars are thriving with a true freshman at quarterback.
October 19, 2025

Beyond Ohio State, It’s Another Massive Shake-Up in the CFB Top 25

Nine of the top 10 teams changed positions in Week 9.
Indiana
October 20, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Sports World—Again

After successful NBA and WNBA seasons, Indiana’s football teams are thriving.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
October 19, 2025

Florida, Colorado State Firings Push CFB Buyouts Past $100M

Nine FBS head coaches have been fired since the season started.
Sep 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium.
October 17, 2025

Belichick’s UNC Saga Now Includes GM Trip to Saudi Arabia

UNC GM Michael Lombardi traveled to Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Cignetti
October 17, 2025

Curt Cignetti Lands Third Contract in Just 19 Games With Indiana

Cignetti signed a new contract five days after Indiana upset Oregon.
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Semaj Morgan (0) makes a catch for a first down in the first half against the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
October 16, 2025

Michigan Board Publicly Opposes Big Ten Investment Proposal

“The Big Ten does not need to be sold to save college sports.”