We cannot allow Bowl Season to die! Crank up the fines to $1,000,000, Big 12!
The Big 12 Conference has imposed fines on the Iowa State and Kansas State football programs after both schools declined postseason bowl invitations.
Iowa State and Kansas State were each hit with $500,000 fines for declining bowl invites to games with which the conference holds tie-ins. Both schools made the decisions just days after announcing head coaching changes.
“While the Conference acknowledges the difficult timing around coaching changes, the Big 12 is responsible for fulfilling its contractual obligations to its bowl partners,” wrote the Big 12 in an official statement. (RELATED: ‘Farce And Total Waste Of Time’: Notre Dame Pulls Incredibly Weak Sore Loser Move Amid College Football Playoff Drama)
Iowa State has hired Washington State head coach Jimmy Rogers to replace Matt Campbell, who left to take the head coaching position at Penn State. Meanwhile, Kansas State has brought back former Wildcats quarterback Collin Klein from his role as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M to succeed Chris Klieman, who announced his retirement.
Both Iowa State and Kansas State entered the season ranked in the preseason Top 25 ahead of their Week 0 matchup in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, where the Cyclones edged the Wildcats, 24-21.
Iowa State finishes the season with an 8-4 record and a 5-4 mark in Big 12 play, while Kansas State completes things at 6-6 (5-4).
The Big 12 fines Kansas State and Iowa State $500,000 each for opting out of a bowl. pic.twitter.com/TLQcgkB6a1
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 7, 2025
If I’m the NCAA, I’m hammering each and every school with aggressive fines if they don’t play in a bowl … we need to keep the magic alive!
