The Sun Belt Conference has fined Marshall $100,000 for opting out of the Independence Bowl last month, a fine that’s likely sending a message to other college football programs.

The Thundering Herd, who finished 10-3 this season and won the Sun Belt Conference, opted out of the bowl game against Army. Bowl officials invited Louisiana Tech to the game instead. Army won, 27-6.

Marshall found itself in a predicament after head coach Charles Huff left to accept the head coaching job at Southern Miss, and at least 25 Marshall players entered the transfer portal.

The conference released a statement announcing the fine, saying, “while it acknowledges the medical model and best practice guidance adhered to by Marshall as well as their fundamental concern for the health and safety of the remaining eligible student-athletes to compete in a safe and viable manner, the nature and timing of this decision was detrimental to the Sun Belt Conference and its membership, to Army, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, the American Athletic Conference and ESPN.”

Marshall athletic director Christian Spears told reporters Friday he supports efforts to change transfer portal rules to prevent this scenario from striking other teams in the future.

“We are excited about the dialogue that’s happening nationally right now around some rules changes [specifically, moving the portal window to January] to make sure that no other institution, ever, has this happen, but in good conscience, we could not put 41 student-athletes out onto that field, and again, we are always going to prioritize the health and safety of our student-athletes,” Spears said.

“But that doesn’t take away the fact that a sincere and formal apology is due, and we are very appreciative of being a part of the Sun Belt Conference and the leadership of Commissioner [Keith] Gill and accept the fine that has been imposed.”

Comments from Marshall University Director of Athletics, Christian Spears regarding the fine imposed on MU by the Sun Belt Conference today. (Video @wwsportswv )

Statement from @SunBelt
“The Sun Belt Conference is issuing a $100,000 institutional fine to Marshall University for… pic.twitter.com/YKmzcOk5ha

— Jim Workman (@JimWorkmanWV) January 17, 2025

While Spears doubled down on the Herd’s decision to opt out, the decision placed Independence Bowl officials and ESPN, which televised the game, in a bind, and was a bad look for the Sun Belt. This scenario will almost certainly arise again in the future under current transfer portal rules.