The Facts
On Monday, college football's Big Ten Conference announced that it had levied a $100K fine against Michigan State and suspended redshirted sophomore Khary Crump for an additional eight games, on top of the four he has already served, following a post-game scuffle at Michigan on Oct. 29.
This is the largest fine the conference has ever levied, surpassing the $40K fine issued to Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard for hitting a Wisconsin assistant coach in February.
The Spin
Narrative A
Michigan State University student-athletes should be facing consequences. However, imposing a $100K fine against the school while only reprimanding the University of Michigan is unfair and unjustified. If one side should have been fined, it should have been the University of Michigan, as they have had a litany of other problems.
Narrative B
This fight has revealed unacceptable flaws in the University of Michigan's tunnel protocols — including a fan being able to make physical contact with Spartans' coach Mel Tucker. The offender was quickly identified and ejected from the Michigan Stadium, and the University of Michigan has taken decisive steps to reduce the possibility of further accidents by focusing on security and procedural reviews.
