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INVESTIGATIN G SPORTS NON-PROFITS How looking at the Fiesta Bowl’s finances (990s) resulted in the CEO going to prison

“The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris

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Page 1: “The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris

INVESTIGATING SPORTS

NON-PROFITS

How looking at the Fiesta Bowl’s finances (990s) resulted in the

CEO going to prison

Page 2: “The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris

EXAMINING THE FIESTA BOWLElite culture.

The bowl is run by four non-profits.

The bowl pays no income taxes.

Page 3: “The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris

WHAT’S A FORM 990?A 990 is an annual tax return that must be filedeach year with the IRS by tax-exempt, non-profit organizations.

Places to find 990s:*guidestar.org

*citizenaudit.org

*http://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/

Tax-exempt organizations, by law, also must let you view their 990 forms.

Page 4: “The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Revenues and expenses: Lines 12

and 18 on the first page of current 990s.

Net assets: Line 22 of first page (Shows financial health)

Page 5: “The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Independent Contractors. From 2000

to 2009, the Fiesta Bowl spent nearly $1.5 million on lobbyists.

Page 6: “The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris

BIG TIME EXPENSES Salaries and perks: Two areas in 990. Look

to see if a non-profit is providing first-class airfare, housing allowance, club dues or personal services. (Highest compensated employees)

Page 7: “The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris

BIG TIME EXPENSES The bowl provided two executives

interest-free, non-secured $120,000 loan so they could become members of an exclusive golf club. (See Loans to/from Interested Persons)

Page 8: “The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris

BIG TIME EXPENSES: From 2000 to 2009, the Fiesta Bowl spent

$2.6 million on the Fiesta Frolic, an annual golf retreat at a Phoenix-area resort for college officials. (See Business Transactions)

Page 9: “The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris

SOMETIMES YOU GET A HUGE

GIFT!!!!!!

Be Ready To Change Course

Page 10: “The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris

CAMPAIGN FINANCE SCANDAL

Pulled 10 years of federal, state and local campaign contributions of bowl employees.

Pattern emerged.

Story led to state and federal criminal investigation.

Page 11: “The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris

RESULTS John Junker (left) fired.

Junker went to a federal prison in Tucson

Five other Fiesta Bowl employees have criminal records.

The bowl no longer hires lobbyists.

End of perks

Page 12: “The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris

UPON FURTHER REVIEWLooked at entire BCS System in 2011

Pulled 990s for all four major bowls

Similar findings with the Fiesta Bowl

Page 13: “The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris

POSTSCRIPT Fiesta Bowl Still Among Top 6 Bowl

Games.

Net Assets of $50.6 million.

Ex. Director Robert Shelton, who replaced Junker, was paid $589,645 in 2013-14.

Hosting College Football’s Championship Game on Jan. 11, 2016 in Glendale, Ariz.

Page 14: “The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris

NO MAJOR COLLEGE BOWLS? WHAT ABOUT….. Pro sports teams. Retired sports figures. Youth sports. University fund-raising arms.

Page 15: “The Numbers in Sports - Investigating Sports Non-Profits" by Craig Harris

BCS READING/CONTACT To see stories go to:

www.azcentral.com/news/bcs/

Contact: Craig Harris 602-444-8478

[email protected]

twitter: charrisazrep