Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) – The Fiesta Bowl was placed on a one-year probationary period but allowed to keep its license, the NCAA announced Tuesday.
The bowl had been sanctioned already by the NCAA, which imposed penalties including a $1 million fine in the wake of an investigation into a scandal that led to the firing of president and chief executive John Junker.
The probationary period announced Tuesday includes the requirement that Fiesta Bowl officials meet in person with the NCAA Postseason Bowl Licensing Subcommittee in April 2012 “to provide a progress report on its management and business plan changes.”
The NCAA said additional probationary requirements could be made after the new licensing task force completes its report in the fall.
In a bombshell for the high-profile bowl, Junker was fired in March after a task force uncovered, among other infractions, a scheme to reimburse improper political campaign contributions.
“The subcommittee was greatly concerned with the apparent lack of oversight and integrity associated with previous Fiesta Bowl management,” Nick Carparelli, chair of the bowl licensing subcommittee, said in a statement Tuesday.
“Considering the business model changes and new direction of the bowl, along with the actions from the BCS, the subcommittee felt comfortable with reaffirming the Fiesta and Insight licenses on a probationary status.”
The Insight Bowl, operated by the same organization as the Fiesta Bowl, was also allowed to keep its license and placed on the same probation.
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