ACC fines Louisville, Virginia Tech $25K after 'WakeyLeaks' probe
The ACC has fined Louisville and Virginia Tech $25,000 each following a review of the "WakeyLeaks" scandal that involved a Wake Forest broadcaster leaking game-plan information to opposing teams.
The league said in a statement Saturday that it determined such intelligence was provided four times - to three teams - over a three-year period:
- Virginia Tech in 2014
- Army in 2014 and 2016
- Louisville in 2016
"I am deeply disturbed something like this would even occur, and regardless of the degree of involvement, the protection of the competitive integrity of our games is fundamental to any athletic contest," commissioner John Swofford said.
"Sportsmanship and ethical values are at the core of competitive integrity and in these instances, those were missing. The expectation, regardless of the sport, is that any athletics department staff members would immediately communicate with their supervisor if they are approached by someone from another institution with proprietary information."
The $25,000 fine is the largest permitted under ACC rules.
Army, which was said to have received information on two separate occasions, didn't have a punishment mentioned in the conference's reprimand.
The ACC also said it supports Louisville's decision to suspend offensive coordinator Lonnie Galloway, who obtained the game-plan information from radio analyst Tommy Elrod. Elrod was fired Tuesday, after Wake Forest discovered he was responsible for the leaks.
The conference said it determined what action to take based on a review of Wake Forest's internal investigation of the leaks.
The ACC noted it will have no further comment on the ordeal.