Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) – The NCAA has placed a three-year moratorium on potential new bowl games while a task force begins work to examine the licensing procedures involved for the bowls.
Issues surrounding the Fiesta Bowl likely played a role in the NCAA’s decision to act and form the committee.
Longtime Fiesta Bowl president and CEO John Junker was fired in late March following a lengthy and wide-ranging investigation that uncovered, among other things, a scheme to reimburse improper political campaign contributions.
The NCAA Division I Bowl Licensing Task Force will examine several areas, including governance and oversight by bowl sponsoring agencies, conflict of interest rules and policies, advertising and title-sponsorship standards, and the oversight and reporting of financial management of bowl games.
“By stepping back and taking the time for a comprehensive review, I believe we will better ensure the integrity of the process and provide the best experience for student-athletes and institutions,” said NCAA president Mark Emmert in statement Thursday.
The task force will be co-chaired by Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman. Another person outside of higher education and intercollegiate athletics will be added to the co-chair responsibilities.
“The Task Force will bring back recommendations, not just about what we need and expect from the bowls themselves, but also from the licensing decision- making process on our end so that it’s a process that we would all look at and have confidence in, including dealing with any potential conflict of interest issues,” Emmert added.
There are already 35 bowl games under four-year licenses that the NCAA issued in 2010. All are up for a yearly review, which is taking place this week. The Fiesta and Insight Bowls — run by the same the organization — will be reviewed later this spring in the wake of its troubles.
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