The SEC is setting the penalty for rushing the field or court after a game is over at $500,000, eliminating the escalating fine system in the process. Commissioner Greg Sankey announced the move Thursday evening as the SEC spring meetings in Miramar Beach, Florida come to an end.
"The motivation was 'field rushing is field rushing, the first time or the 18th time,'" Sankey said. "The random nature of, if you're the one getting rushed, it doesn't feel good. It might be the first time (it happened) there, but it might be your sixth time in a row, literally."
Under the previous system, SEC schools were fined $100,000 for the first offense, $250,000 for the second offense and $500,000 for any violations of the rule thereafter. The SEC also now has the authority to waive a fine if the visiting team and game officials are allowed to return safely to their respective locker rooms before fans enter the playing area.