Eugene Rapay | Des Moines Register

AMES — Iowa State football’s appeal to contest the fine from the Big 12 Conference for not participating in a bowl game was unsuccessful, but the league will reduce the dollar amount.

Iowa State was originally fined $500,000 by the Big 12 in December, when it declined a bowl-game bid. The fine has been reduced to $250,000, Iowa State athletics director Jamie Pollard said Feb. 19.

Pollard learned the fate of Iowa State’s appeal following the Big 12 board of directors meetings in early February.

Kansas State also opted out of a bowl game and was fined a similar amount by the Big 12. K-State also had its appeal denied by the conference.

“I still think it should have been lower, but they lowered the fine to $250,000,” Pollard said. “We were a little disappointed because we thought our appeal was different from K-State’s, but I’m not certain what we could have done differently in our situation, so I don’t know what the fine really achieves. If you had the same set of circumstances and did it all over again, the players would have not played and there wasn’t anything we could do. Nonetheless, we did get that fine lowered.”

The Big 12 confirmed that Iowa State’s appeal was denied but said it does not comment on fines.

Just a couple of days before the bowl game lineups were announced, Iowa State underwent a coaching change. Matt Campbell chose to leave after a successful 10-year run and took the Penn State head coaching job. Jimmy Rogers was hired as his successor less than an hour after Campbell’s departure on Dec. 5, 2025.

In the wake of the coaching transition, athletics administrators, members of Campbell’s coaching staff and Iowa State players met regarding the potential bowl game. Players voted to not play in a postseason game, reportedly due to the lack of healthy players to safely practice and play.

Iowa State concluded the regular season with an 8-4 record. The Cyclones reached bowl eligibility for the eighth time in nine years.

“At the end of the day, we’re part of the conference, and if that’s what the other presidents feel, then that’s what it is,” Pollard said.