The chief executive of the Fiesta Bowl, John Junker, has been fired over allegations that he and other top executives at the nonprofit group pressured employees into making political contributions and then reimbursed them with “phony bonus payments,” The New York Times reports. The findings in a special report that followed a five-month investigation led the bowl’s Board of Directors to remove Mr. Junker from his post for “improper and inappropriate activities.”
The Bowl Championship Series said in a statement that it was “deeply disappointed and troubled” by the report and has appointed a task force to evaluate the findings. It also said it has asked the Fiesta Bowl “to demonstrate why it should remain a BCS bowl game.”
The Fiesta Bowl isn’t the only bowl committee to take heat of late: In December, a former top official with the Internal Revenue Service filed a complaint with the federal agency questioning the Orange Bowl’s tax-exempt status.
Nevertheless, the BCS takes this matter seriously and will consider whether the Fiesta Bowl should remain a BCS bowl game or other appropriate sanctions. To make that determination, we are taking these actions:
1. We have appointed a task force to evaluate the bowl’s findings and its recommendations.
2. We have asked the bowl to demonstrate why it should remain a BCS bowl game. The task force will evaluate the bowl’s response, along with the full slate of reforms instituted by the bowl.
3. If the bowl remains a part of the BCS, its handling of this matter will be closely monitored going forward.
