Colorado picked up a big win on October 11 against No. 22 Iowa State, handing the Cyclones a 24-17 loss in front of a home crowd. The result was so significant — if not surprising — that fans at Folsom Field decided to storm the field in celebration.
Normally, when that happens, conferences issue a hefty fine to the home team, citing safety and security concerns, particularly for the visiting team. The Big 12 was initially expected to do so in this case. However, the conference ultimately decided not to punish Colorado after reviewing the situation.
“The conference is not fining us for Saturday’s field storm,” CU athletics spokesman Steve Hurlbert, (h/t USA Today). “The conference said that we executed our field storm management procedures and would therefore not be fined.”
That decision saves Colorado at least $50,000 — and possibly more when factoring in added security costs — money the program might not be able to easily spare. Perhaps that’s why head coach Deion Sanders, who said he enjoyed the moment, half-jokingly suggested fans “chip in” if a fine were to come.
“C’mon man. That ain’t right,” Sanders said when he first learned what the potential fine would have been. “I mean, these kids — well, we have 50,000 [fans at the game], right? We can chip in. Let’s chip in. That’s how it was when I grew up. You know, we going somewhere, everybody, before you get in the car with some gas, you gotta chip in.”
Videos Show Near Disaster During Colorado Field Storming Against Iowa State
Recent videos from the postgame celebration have raised questions about what the Big 12 did — or didn’t — see in its review.
One clip showed a Colorado fan pulling on the helmet of Iowa State wide receiver Chase Sowell. Another showed a fan being trapped under a goalpost as thousands of fans rushed onto the field.
Check out both below:
It’s fair to wonder whether the Big 12 showed mercy or simply recognized Colorado’s financial limitations. If a fine had been issued, it would have been the second $50,000 penalty levied against the Buffaloes this season. The first came after fans were caught chanting “hateful and discriminatory language” toward BYU fans on September 27.
Colorado Might Need the Extra $50,000
A USA Today report on October 8 shed light on Colorado’s ongoing financial challenges within its athletic department. The Buffaloes are still finding their footing in the Big 12 and remain well behind some of college football’s biggest brands.
According to the report, Colorado generated $115 million in revenue during the 2024 fiscal year — roughly one-third of what Texas reported. The athletic department’s projected revenue for the current fiscal year is $164.9 million, an increase of $24 million from last year.
However, much of that gain comes from the $20.5 million cost of assembling the football roster under the terms of the House vs. NCAA lawsuit agreement. When asked about projected revenue for 2026, the department could only respond, “to be determined.”
Meanwhile, Sanders ranks as the 14th-highest-paid coach in college football at $8.975 million annually, not including his various endorsement deals.
While $50,000 might be a drop in the bucket for powerhouse programs like Alabama or Ohio State, it could make a noticeable dent for a school like Colorado — one that still isn’t sure where its next wave of funding will come from.
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