Fiesta Bowl in danger of losing BCS status after internal probe fallout

Long time president and CEO of the Fiesta Bowl, John Junker, was fired from his position Tuesday following an extensive investigative probe in to the Fiesta Bowl's inner-workings revealed an "apparent scheme to reimburse employees for political contributions and "an apparent conspiracy" to cover it up. The unsettling findings regarding the Fiesta Bowl has left the Bowl Championship Series leaders to put the bowl on notice that it could be in danger of being associated with the BCS moving forward.

Junker was voted out by the Fiesta Bowl's board of directors by a unanimous vote "for his improper and inappropriate activities documented" by the investigation. Junker was placed on administrative leave by the board of directors on February 14, 2011 after failing to comply with two written directives by the bowl to cooperate with the investigation.

“We are extremely disappointed and angered by the findings of the Special Committee’s investigation. While the Special Committee Final Report speaks for itself, I must say that the actions undertaken and orchestrated by John Junker and others are shocking and completely unacceptable,” said Duane Woods, Chairman of the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors. “Their actions, unfortunately, have tainted the stellar reputation that the Fiesta Bowl has worked so hard to maintain for more than 40 years."

The Fiesta Bowl reports that Junker's actions were done in secret and although there are rules against his actions, the Special Committee report concludes that there was a lack of enforcement of the rules. The investigation was started after an employee came forward with information suggesting there was wrongdoing within the bowl's management, including reimbursement of campaign contributions, excessive compensation and inappropriate expenditures and gifts.

The reported reimbursements were listed at a value of at least $46,539, which exceeds Arizona state and federal campaign finance laws. Upon learning of the news stated they will review the situation and conduct an independent investigation and will consider whether or not the bowl game should remain in the BCS or other sanctions may be enough.

"We are deeply disappointed and troubled to learn of these findings related to the Fiesta Bowl," a statement co-signed by BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock and BCS chair of the Presidential Oversight Committee, Penn State University president Graham Spanier, said.

"Unprofessional, unethical or improper behavior is unacceptable," the BCS statement continues. "There is no place for such activities in higher education or in collegiate sports. It is expected that all parties contracted with the BCS will live up to the highest standards. We do not wish to be associated with entities that believe otherwise."

A statement issued by the Fiesta Bowl has responded to the BCS threat, saying "We are confident that the Fiesta Bowl will continue to be a part of the BCS rotation because the Fiesta Bowl is one of the premiere bowl games in the country, bar none, and because we are doing the right thing and making changes to prevent this type of thing from happening in the future."

If the BCS ultimately decides to cut the Fiesta Bowl out of the BCS equation, which bowl would be most likely to step in its place? The first bowl to consider would be the Cotton Bowl, which is played in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Jerry Jones' Mecca to football has hosted numerous college football games including the Cotton Bowl, Big 12 championship games and high-profile regular season games. The Cotton Bowl offices are also right inside the stadium and the game has been praised for operating as though it already was a BCS-caliber game. The chances of the Fiesta Bowl actually being dropped form the BCS line-up are probably pretty slim given its history and location, but the Cotton Bowl will be most interested in what happens in Phoenix with their bowl game.

The Fiesta Bowl's Board of Directors will continue to do the work not being done by Junker while at the same time conducting a search for a suitable replacement.

The Arizona attorney general's office is continuing to investigate the situation. The IRS could pick up interest in the situation but at this time there is no confirmation that the IRS will open up their own investigation in to the Fiesta Bowl. No charges against the Fiesta Bowl are expected at this time.

Examiner will continue to monitor the developments regarding the Fiesta Bowl and the rest of the BCS and report on any developments as they become available.

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