SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey issued a public reprimand and fined Missouri athletic director Jim Sterk $25,000 on Thursday. This was after South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley filed a lawsuit against Sterk following the claims made after the Jan. 28 game between South Carolina and Missouri.
Following that game at Colonial Life Arena, Sterk accused Gamecock fans of spitting on the Missouri players and yelling racial slurs at them. Sterk also added that Staley was the one who prompted this behavior.
"Both Missouri and South Carolina have cultivated highly successful women's basketball programs, which enjoy tremendous fan support and have earned the respect of this office," Commissioner Sankey said in a statement. "While we always appreciate a healthy level of competitive intensity on the court, there is no place in this league for discord inside or outside of the arena."
Sankey also issued a Conference office-led review of South Carolina's game management procedures and visiting team security.
"I have had multiple conversations over the past few weeks with representatives of both schools about the problems emanating from their January 28 game and it has been my desire for those issues to be mutually resolved between the athletic programs and individuals involved," Sankey continued in the release. "Unfortunately, a mutual resolution does not appear imminent. Our hope is that we can direct our focus back where it belongs - on our student-athletes and on-court competition."
Staley previously called the accusations "serious and false", and issued the lawsuit through Richland County. South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner released a brief statement on Thursday afternoon.
"I welcome the review from the Southeastern Conference into our game management procedures and visiting team security. Our staff works diligently to create a secure environment for everyone at our home athletic events, including fans, student-athletes, coaches and staff for both the home and visiting teams," Tanner said in a statement. "I will reiterate that we did a post-game review following the January 28 game against Missouri and received no confirmation of the alleged behavior by our fans directed towards the visiting team."
Following Thursday night's win over LSU, Staley was asked about the lawsuit and fines, but refused to give much detail.
"We're moving forward, and all other questions can be referred to my attorney," Staley said.