The ugly, and often times, unreported side of Bowl Games

[8timechamps]

Since I read the book Death to the BCS a few years ago, I've looked at bowl games in a different light. Of course, I love to watch them, and I think it's a nice reward for the players in most cases, however, I think there are far too many games, and the conference affiliation doesn't always serve the fans. Even though the BCS, as we know it, is over after this year, there will continue to be many bowl games that just shouldn't be played, and situations like the following will probably still continue.

Apparently, UCF is having trouble selling their allotment of tickets. They are required to purchase 17,000 tickets (costing the program $3.4 millions), and have only "sold" (not all are sold, some are for the band, staff, etc) 5,000. Since the majority of ticket sales for bowl games occur upon initial availability, it's a stretch to think UCF will come anywhere near selling their full allotment. The problem for UCF is that they are spending right around $5.5 million just to play in the game ($3.4 million in tickets, and another $2 million in travel expenses), however, UCF will only receive about $2.4 million as a payout for their BCS appearance. In other words, as things stand now, UCF is paying about $3 million to play in the Fiesta Bowl. When all is said and done, and UCF either sells all the tickets they can, or makes a deal to dump them, UCF will still pay close to $1.5 million to play in the game.

Now, schools like Oklahoma don't have to worry about those kinds of things. That's not to say they make money on every bowl game they attend (because they don't), but typically, OU either sells their full allotment, or comes very close. Either way, the money Oklahoma brings into the program makes it possible to participate in any bowl they are invited to, with little concern about the debt. A school like UCF can't afford that luxury, so their appearance in this year's Fiesta Bowl will cost them for the next few years or more.

I'm not losing sleep over UCF's financial issues, in fact, I really don't care. My disgust comes from the bowl games. They are all "non profit", but when you dig a little deeper into the financial workings of the Fiesta Bowl, you'll see that that they use several entities to conduct business. In 2011, the Fiesta Bowl filled taxes using four different foundations. There is no "Fiesta Bowl" entity that encompasses the entire game, so they use smaller foundations to report earnings. There's nothing unlawful about that practice, and it's used by every bowl, but it makes it a little easier for the public to stomach when they see earnings of $14 million on a few different reports, rather than seeing close to $100 million on one, big report.

Bowls are a money making enterprise, that happen to have a football game associated. Think about the money they receive from ticket and merchandise sales, corporate sponsorship, venue revenue (concessions, parking, etc.) and the gigantic television contracts. There is a lot of money pouring into the major bowl coffers. And teams like UCF (and there are others every year) are "rewarded" by paying millions just to participate (and lets face it, probably lose).

Hopefully, with the start of the playoff system, the importance of the fans will factor more into the selection of non-playoff games. But, since it's all about the money, it probably won't.

[fadada1]

Mentioned it before, cut the number back to 20 bowl games. Maybe 10-15 schools that don't net a true loss on bowls (like OU). Bowls should be a reward (for players) for good play during the season. Doesn't seem much of a reward for the university by losing a million or so. Definitely not a reward for players who perform mediocre by winning 6 games.

[Widescreen]

UConn had the same problem in 2010. There are definitely problems in the system. And I agree that there are too many bowl games. I know there are folks who are of the mindset that there can never be too much college football. And I suppose there was a time in my life where I would've gladly watched Eastern Michigan take on Ohio. Not anymore.

[Jacie]

I have already suggested bowl game sponsors should pick up the tab for the team meals and hotel, which would cover much of the out-of-pocket for the teams It only seems fair given that the teams are the draw, without which there would be no game. The bowl officials don't seem to have any problem lining their own pockets but despite what sound like large payouts, require too much from the participants, such as the ticket purchase.

As for limiting them, they are independent entities, heck, Soonerfans could sponsor a bowl if it had the upfront money. The only time a bowl folds is from losing money and it happens almost every year to one bowl or another only to be replaced by yet another group of entrepeneurs who think they have a good idea.

[One4OU]

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[OUinFLA]

apparently, the school officials who are in charge feel the cost of playing is worth some form of reward to the University. i.e. advertising?
otherwise, we would see schools turning down invites to bowls that were going to cost them out-of-budget dollars.
I don't hear of many (any) schools turning down a bowl offer.

[Jacie]

Examples of recently played but now defunct bowl games.

EagleBank Bowl in Washington, D.C. and the International Bowl in Toronto, Canada were last played in 2009.

Do not confuse these with the ones that undergo name changes, including my all-time favorite, the Independence Bowl which cycles through sponsors faster than a NASCAR driver changes tires. This year it is the called the AdvoCare V100 Bowl (no mention of independence!).

[yermom]

The compulsory ticket sales just let them charge higher and higher ticket prices

I'm almost sure we didn't sell out the fiesta the last time we were there

Alabama will probably help us out if we don't sell all of them this year though

[PrideMom]

Fans do not have the money for the TRAVEL to the bowl games. Then when it is a small school that has no tradition to build a strong fan base, this is what you get.....NO ONE going to the bowl games. With the economy as it is, does it really surprise anyone? I guarantee you that if the bowl game for OSU required expensive travel, the OSU "fans" wouldn't go either.

That was what was so amazing when OU went to the Rose Bowl! We showed up in droves! One of the most fun times I have ever had. We just treated it as our Christmas present(s).

[badger]

Knowing the position that schools are in to buy a certain number of tickets, fans might want to buy a ticket from their school just so the school doesn't have to eat the cost themselves. But, since these are harsh economic times, if they actually want to attend the game, they might just want to scalp on gameday.

OU had a neat workaround to this "you must buy tickets" policy for the Sun Bowl: Hey fans, buy a ticket so an armed services member can see the game! I wonder how many they sold that route. Probably a good number, even if it wasn't the entire allotment.

As for cutting minor bowls, the mid major programs want them and need them, even if they're money losing ventures. Consider this: Bowl-bound teams get an extra two weeks of practice that non-bowl teams don't. Teams that would only be on ESPN on Tuesday nights are suddenly the marquee game during primetime viewing hours.

[ashley]

I the schools that lose money on bowls want to go, who are we to say they shouldn't go. Why do people say there are too many bowls? If you don't like it, don't watch.

[sooner_born_1960]

Ashley makes a good point. If the schools want more money to appear, demand it. If they don't get any more, they are free to decline.

[Scott D]

There are many other factors that play into all of this process as well.

1. All the Bowl Games are televised. Do I want to risk weather, and/or the expense of travel when I can spend a lot less and have a watch party at my house?
2. FBS is simply too large. It should have been capped at 80-90 FBS schools long ago...this isn't college basketball where you apparently just need a student body of 5k students to qualify as a Division I-A school.
3. If you insist on there being a bowl and people travelling, instinct tends to be regional travel is more enticing, nobody outside of Boise State is excited to see their team in the Boise We Grow Potatoes Bowl (exception obviously being a MNC game because of the stakes).

Hell, it wasn't even a year ago that the MAC footed the bill for Northern Illinois so that they could go to Florida to get their butts kicked by Florida State.

[tycat947]

Yes, the bowl games have become a cesspool. There is only one bowl game really worthy of watching, other than your team's bowl game. There might be a couple more that are interesting. I'd be willing to go out on a limb and predict that the Fiesta Bowl will be the worst rated BCS bowl in history, and probably won't even be close. They need to go to 16 team playoff and if the bowls want to play with remaining teams, so be it. If not, end them.

[Jacie]

The NCAA should require every televised game to air 5 uninterrupted minutes of the on-field halftime show . . .

[fadada1]

I don't buy the "if you don't like it, don't watch it" argument. Normally I do. However, this isn't porn. A lot of people choose not to watch porn, but it is not a losing venture with regards to profit.

The first week of the bowl season is like bad porn. People still watch, but no one really cares. The only negative is that no one makes any money. In fact, universities end up having to pay - and that's called prostitution.

[fadada1]

The NCAA should require every televised game to air 5 uninterrupted minutes of the on-field halftime show . . .

Agreed. And only the bands play - even the national championship game.

[ashley]

Yes, the bowl games have become a cesspool. There is only one bowl game really worthy of watching, other than your team's bowl game. There might be a couple more that are interesting. I'd be willing to go out on a limb and predict that the Fiesta Bowl will be the worst rated BCS bowl in history, and probably won't even be close. They need to go to 16 team playoff and if the bowls want to play with remaining teams, so be it. If not, end them.

The bowl games are not played for you.

[8timechamps]

The bowl games are not played for you.

What does that even mean? If you're saying that the bowl games aren't played for the fans, then I would have to assume you're stuck in the 1940's, when it was really about the teams.

Of course they're played for the fans. That's why we have so damn many bowls, because they make money for someone. Just not the teams participating.

I think you missed the point of this entire thread.

[8timechamps]

I don't buy the "if you don't like it, don't watch it" argument. Normally I do. However, this isn't porn. A lot of people choose not to watch porn, but it is not a losing venture with regards to profit.

The first week of the bowl season is like bad porn. People still watch, but no one really cares. The only negative is that no one makes any money. In fact, universities end up having to pay - and that's called prostitution.

The whole "if you don't like it, don't watch" argument is a non-starter. So, I agree with you.

One correction though, someone makes money, just not the schools involved.

[ashley]

What does that even mean? If you're saying that the bowl games aren't played for the fans, then I would have to assume you're stuck in the 1940's, when it was really about the teams.

Of course they're played for the fans. That's why we have so damn many bowls, because they make money for someone. Just not the teams participating.

I think you missed the point of this entire thread.

I wasn't saying that at all. I was saying it to 979. The schools obviously think it is worth it. Why should we worry about their business? Of all the things in the world to complain about this has to be about the last on the list.

[8timechamps]

I wasn't saying that at all. I was saying it to 979. The schools obviously think it is worth it. why should we worry about their business.

I'm not worried about any specific school, but I am worried (maybe not even the right word) about the system. It's broken.

I should add that I am a 16 team play-off proponent, so I'm sure I view this will tinted glasses.

[Scott D]

I'm not worried about any specific school, but I am worried (maybe not even the right word) about the system. It's broken.

I should add that I am a 16 team play-off proponent, so I'm sure I view this will tinted glasses.

you know you'll have your 16 team playoff the year that the SEC feels screwed because they won't comprise at least half the field...ie..within the first two years ;)

[badger]

Think about who is participating and why, and it becomes more clear what the intent and purpose is of the bowl system.

Who: Mostly big money, big name programs with a few mid majors sprinkled in, just like the NCAA basketball tournament

Why: It would not be feasible to do a giant bracket with many football games to end the season, so bowls are a one-game playoff of showing who the best among two-like teams are, based on conference standing, with one bowl game between the two top teams in the country determining the national champion.

[8timechamps]

Think about who is participating and why, and it becomes more clear what the intent and purpose is of the bowl system.

Who: Mostly big money, big name programs with a few mid majors sprinkled in, just like the NCAA basketball tournament

Why: It would not be feasible to do a giant bracket with many football games to end the season, so bowls are a one-game playoff of showing who the best among two-like teams are, based on conference standing, with one bowl game between the two top teams in the country determining the national champion.

The original intent of the bowl system was to offer teams and fans a reward for a good season. That's long gone. Sure, there's still the reward, but it's kind of like a back-handed compliment when it ends up costing the school money.

There's no way a 64 team bracket would work, but a 16 team playoff would work fine (and has at the lower levels). As Scott D said, when the SEC has a team left out (or two) of the current playoff, that will bring the issue to a head. Furthermore, once the bowls realize they can make even more money on a playoff (since it appears the system is going to incorporate some bowls anyway), then the field will be expanded.

it's all about the money. That's the true intent and purpose of the bowls.

[ashley]

I doubt that it be over 8 teams.

[fadada1]

you know you'll have your 16 team playoff the year that the SEC feels screwed because they won't comprise at least half the field...ie..within the first two years ;)

Or whatever clause notre dame will try to scam.

[JiuJitsuSooner]

It's not that UCF is a small school, most ppl don't realize it but it's actually THE LARGEST school in the country by enrollment..

It just doesn't have that college town feel and most of the students are FSU or UF fans, so I can see why students don't travel

[8timechamps]

I doubt that it be over 8 teams.

Well, it's only four now, and not that long ago people were saying "it'll never happen". However, I can see it going to 8 pretty quickly, and I'd be fine with that too. After about the top 6 teams (in most years), you pretty much have the best teams in the country anyway.

[8timechamps]

It's not that UCF is a small school, most ppl don't realize it but it's actually THE LARGEST school in the country by enrollment..

It just doesn't have that college town feel and most of the students are FSU or UF fans, so I can see why students don't travel

How about "small program". That's probably more fitting.

[tycat947]

The original intent of the bowl system was to offer teams and fans a reward for a good season. That's long gone. Sure, there's still the reward, but it's kind of like a back-handed compliment when it ends up costing the school money.

There's no way a 64 team bracket would work, but a 16 team playoff would work fine (and has at the lower levels). As Scott D said, when the SEC has a team left out (or two) of the current playoff, that will bring the issue to a head. Furthermore, once the bowls realize they can make even more money on a playoff (since it appears the system is going to incorporate some bowls anyway), then the field will be expanded.

it's all about the money. That's the true intent and purpose of the bowls.

+1

[ashley]

Well, it's only four now, and not that long ago people were saying "it'll never happen". However, I can see it going to 8 pretty quickly, and I'd be fine with that too. After about the top 6 teams (in most years), you pretty much have the best teams in the country anyway.

Exactly. You can't fine me a year when the 7th team should be in a playoff.