John Junker, Just Another Shady Figure in the Dirty World of College Athletics

One of the rules I adhere to in my life is to never trust a person who has the title of CEO preceding their name.

Freshly fired Fiesta Bowl CEO John Junker is just another example why.

The brewing Fiesta Bowl scandal officially came to a head today, costing Junker and other higher-up officials their jobs and their reputations.

A detailed article by Katie Thomas in today’s New York Times gave readers a behind-the-scenes look at the despicable actions of top Fiesta Bowl executives in recent years. Today, it ultimately cost Junker, who had been on paid administrative leave since February, his job.

In a statement released today by Fiesta Bowl officials, Chairman of the Board of Directors Duane Reed had this to say about Junker and the situation.

“We are extremely disappointed and angered by the findings of the Special Committee’s investigation. While the Special Committee Final Report speaks for itself, I must say that the actions undertaken and orchestrated by John Junker and others are shocking and completely unacceptable.

"Their actions, unfortunately, have tainted the stellar reputation that the Fiesta Bowl has worked so hard to maintain for more than 40 years. The Fiesta Bowl, however, is greater than a few individuals; it is the product of thousands of dedicated volunteers and exemplary employees who work tirelessly and care so deeply about the Fiesta Bowl and all it does for the state of Arizona.” 

The most damning evidence uncovered during the investigation revealed that Junker and other executives asked Fiesta Bowl employees to make political contributions to certain candidates, and would then reimburse the staffers with under-the-table bonuses to try and cover their tracks.

The article also discusses the lavish spending of Junker and his fellow officials, which included thousands of dollars on strip clubs, parties and hotels.

So for those who still believe that major college sports haven’t sold out completely, I’m sorry, but hope is fading.

It’s reports like this that give us fans just a tiny glimpse of the back-door hand shaking and politicking that is now plaguing the sports of college football and men’s basketball.

There’s no more hiding the fact that the two biggest collegiate sports now fully adhere to the motto of "business comes first."

Money, profits and the bottom line have become more important than the actual sports themselves.

It’s why we’ll most likely never see a fair playoff system in college football; it’s why we were treated to commercial breaks almost every 30 seconds during this year’s NCAA tournament games; it’s why seemingly every single inch of college football and college basketball has some type of company logo plastered somewhere.

Forget about championships and traditions.

TV deals, merchandising contracts, sponsorships—that’s what’s important in the business of college sports these days . That’s what allows the John Junkers of the world to fly around the country, shake the right hands and live it up in the finest strip clubs the nation has to offer.

The fans are the ones who ultimately suffer while the CEOs and suits in the top ranks reap the rewards.

"Hey Longhorn fans, we know that 5-7 season was rough, but have no worries, Texas' newly signed $300 million television contract should ease your pain."

It’s certainly a scary, sketchy and sticky road that major college sports is heading down, one that seems to have CEOs, vice presidents, chairmen and the like waiting at the end with a big old pot of gold.