Big 12 fines UCF $100,000 over anti-Mormon chants at BYU game, adds fan penalties
The Big 12 fined UCF $100,000 after fans chanted an anti-Mormon slur before UCF's 39-31 double-overtime win over BYU. It also adopted a conference-wide policy with escalating penalties for discriminatory conduct.
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The story, neutrally told
Right · 1The Big 12 Conference fined UCF $100,000 on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, after fans at Acrisure Bounce House in Orlando chanted "f--- the Mormons" before UCF's Oct. 24 game against BYU. IJRRC “The Big 12 fined UCF $100,000. On Oct. 28, 2026, the conference acted after fans at Acrisure Bounce House in Orlando chanted "f--- the Mormons" before kickoff” Read at IJR ↗ Right · 2Video from inside the stadium showed a number of fans chanting the phrase, a reference to BYU's religious background, and security removed some of them. Fox NewsR “Video from inside Acrisure Bounce House showed a number of UCF fans chanting "f--- the Mormons," a reference to BYU's religious background.” Read at Fox News ↗ IJRRC “Video of the chant circulated on social media; security removed some fans.” Read at IJR ↗ Right · 2UCF won the game 39-31 in double overtime, after a blocked field goal, a goalline stop and a field storming. BYU had been undefeated and was favoured, according to Fox News. IJRRC “UCF won 39-31 after a blocked field goal, a goalline stop, and a field storming.” Read at IJR ↗ Fox NewsR “losing as a clear favorite” Read at Fox News ↗
Right · 2In its statement, the Big 12 said it recognized the pregame protocols UCF followed and its immediate actions during the game, including removing some of those responsible. It said discriminatory behavior has no place in the conference, and that the fine will go toward student education initiatives. Fox NewsR “While the Conference recognizes the pregame protocols followed by UCF and immediate actions taken during the game, including removal of some individuals responsible for the conduct, discriminatory behavior has no place in the Big 12” Read at Fox News ↗ IJRRC “the fine will support student education initiatives” Read at IJR ↗ Right · 2The conference also adopted a policy, effective immediately, with escalating consequences for discriminatory conduct at athletic events. A first confirmed incident brings an automatic minimum $100,000 fine and a formal warning to the institution. Fox NewsR “an "automatic minimum $100,000 fine" for the first incident such as this, along with a "formal warning" to the institution” Read at Fox News ↗ IJRRC “a first confirmed discriminatory incident brings a minimum $100,000 fine and formal warning” Read at IJR ↗ Right · 2A second confirmed incident in the same game brings a competitive penalty, such as a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty in football or a two-shot technical foul in basketball. IJR adds that it may also carry a $500,000 fine. Fox NewsR “A second "confirmed incident" will now be a "competitive penalty, e.g., a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty in football or an unsportsmanlike two-shot technical foul in basketball."” Read at Fox News ↗ IJRRC “may add a $500,000 fine” Read at IJR ↗
Right · 1Fans ejected for such conduct are barred from all athletic events for the rest of the academic year and may face university conduct policies. Fox NewsR “prohibited from attending all athletic events for the remainder of the academic year and are subject to applicable University fan/student conduct policies” Read at Fox News ↗ Right · 1IJR notes earlier similar cases: Colorado was fined $50,000 in September 2025 and Oklahoma State $50,000 in February 2026 over anti-LDS chants against BYU. It also says UCF is reviewing its options. IJRRC “Colorado was fined $50,000 in September 2025 and Oklahoma State $50,000 in February 2026 for similar anti-LDS chants against BYU.”“The wire summary states UCF said it is reviewing its options.” Read at IJR ↗ Right · 1Fox News's OutKick writer called the response the right way to handle the situation. The writer cautioned that the conference could overuse the policy if it starts cracking down on ordinary student chanting. UCF hosts Baylor on Friday, and BYU hosts Arizona State on Halloween. Fox NewsR “That's the right way to handle this particular situation, though, of course, it's possible this gets overused”“The Knights' home crowd will have an opportunity to redeem themselves on Friday night when they host Baylor” Read at Fox News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets lead with the fine and the new policy. IJR is a terse news summary, while Fox News's OutKick adds game colour and commentary on the chant and the response.
- Emphasis
- The fine amount, the escalating penalty ladder, and the on-field drama of the upset. IJR adds precedent fines against Colorado and Oklahoma State.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Fox News omits the $500,000 possible second-incident fine and the earlier Colorado and Oklahoma State fines. IJR omits the commentary on the policy and BYU's ranking.
- Charged language
- “f--- the Mormons”“offensive chants”“a bit too far”
What every side reports
- The Big 12 fined UCF $100,000 over fans' anti-Mormon chant before the BYU game at Acrisure Bounce House.
- Security removed some fans.
- The Big 12 adopted an immediate conference-wide escalating-penalty policy, including fan bans for the academic year.
- UCF beat BYU in overtime.
Where accounts differ
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Whether the policy is well calibrated
- Right
- Fox News (OutKick) calls the response the right way to handle it but warns it could be overused against ordinary student chanting. IJR offers no opinion.
Big 12 Conference organisation
Says discriminatory behavior has no place in the Big 12. It fined UCF $100,000 for education initiatives and adopted an escalating-penalty policy effective immediately.
“discriminatory behavior has no place in the Big 12” — Fox News
“a conference-wide policy effective immediately” — IJR
UCF Knights organisation
The Big 12 credited UCF's pregame protocols and immediate actions, including removing some individuals. IJR cites a wire summary saying UCF is reviewing its options.
“The wire summary states UCF said it is reviewing its options.” — IJR
“Some fans were removed by security” — Fox News
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right2 articles
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IJRRC ·
Big 12 Fines UCF $100,000, Sets Fan Penalties
Neutral Concise factual report of the fine, the policy terms and precedent fines against other schools.
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Big 12 Conference addresses offensive chants from UCF fans directed at BYU during upset win
Mixed Sports-column style piece that recounts the upset, quotes the Big 12 statement, and gives an opinion that the response is right but could be overused.
- 28 Oct 22:50 First IJRRC Big 12 Fines UCF $100,000, Sets Fan Penalties
- 29 Oct 01:57 +3h 7m Fox NewsR Big 12 Conference addresses offensive chants from UCF fans directed at BYU during upset win
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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