Big 12 fines Iowa State, Kansas State for opting out of bowl games

Iowa State and Kansas State have been fined by the Big 12 Conference for opting out of their bowl bids. The conference announced the news on Sunday ahead of the College Football Playoff selection show.

“The Big 12 Conference is issuing a $500,000 institutional fine to Iowa State and Kansas State for opting out of their participation in the Conference’s bowl pool,” the conference said, per release. “While the Conference acknowledges the difficult timing around coaching changes, the Big 12 is responsible for fulfilling its contractual obligations to its bowl partners. The Big 12 considers the matter resolved and will have no further comment.”

Both teams are dealing with head coaching changes at the moment, as Matt Campbell has taken the head coaching job at Penn State after nearly a decade with the Cyclones. Kansas State’s Chris Klieman is heading off to retirement.

It didn’t take long for either program to name their next head coach. Iowa State has hired Jimmy Rogers away from Washington State. Meanwhile, Kansas State has moved forward with former Big 12 first-team quarterback and Wildcats alum Collin Klein as their next headman. Klein, 36, has served as Texas A&M’s offensive coordinator for the past two seasons.

Iowa State finished 8-4 this season, going 5-4 against Big 12 competition. The Cyclones released a statement along with a press release on their decision, revealing the players took a vote to opt out of their potential bowl game.

“The administrative staff and coaches respect and support the players decision,” said ISU Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard. “Our student-athletes have had an incredible season and we are grateful for their leadership as we worked through this process with them today.”

For Kansas State, they finished the year 6-6 but cited their coaching changes, along with conversations among the player leadership as reasons why they declined to accept their bowl invitation. Kansas State athletics director Gene Taylor also announced the news of his program’s decision on Sunday as well.

“This decision was not taken lightly,” Taylor said, per release. “But with our coaching staff transition and several uncertainties regarding player availability, I felt it was not in our best interest to try to field a team that was not representative of Kansas State University.