(03-30-2011 03:51 PM)animus Wrote:  

(03-30-2011 03:45 PM)cuseroc Wrote:  

(03-30-2011 03:16 PM)animus Wrote:  Honestly, I think the Big East should be subject to reviews etc.

Why the BE and not other leagues, like the Acc for instance?

I do think they should be subject to reviews as well. These reviews prove the pundits wrong more than anything in regards to the Big East.

Except for last year...

(03-30-2011 10:01 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  

(03-30-2011 03:51 PM)animus Wrote:  

(03-30-2011 03:45 PM)cuseroc Wrote:  

(03-30-2011 03:16 PM)animus Wrote:  Honestly, I think the Big East should be subject to reviews etc.

Why the BE and not other leagues, like the Acc for instance?

I do think they should be subject to reviews as well. These reviews prove the pundits wrong more than anything in regards to the Big East.

Except for last year...

I can't help but think that one reason we moved so fast in signing up TCU was how badly we performed on the football field during this past season. The Big East powers that be thought it would silence the chorus of "Big East doesn't belong in the BCS" that was rising again.

(03-30-2011 02:42 PM)mattsarz Wrote:  

(03-30-2011 02:31 PM)MichaelSavage Wrote:  He did a fine job hosting BYU-Oklahoma, TCU-Oregon State and LSU-Texas A&M in his venue.

Baylor vs. Texas Tech, Oregon vs. LSU and BYU vs. TCU will be played there this coming season.

Yes, if practice makes perfect ... And admittedly, hosting the Super Bowl is probably a bit unlike hosting anything else.

A few points:

(1) Have any of you actually taken a trip to Phoenix versus Dallas in January? Sure, Dallas is a cheaper flight, but as a wintertime vacation destination, there's simply no comparison: Phoenix >>>>>>>> Dallas. Just because Chicago is centralized to the Big Ten schools doesn't mean those fans would rather send their champ to Soldier Field for a bowl instead of the Rose Bowl. Likewise, don't assume that Longhorns and Sooner fans and players would rather stick around Dallas during the holidays, particularly when the Texas-based Big 12 schools plus OU all already play at least one annual regular season game in the DFW area (if not Jerry World itself). Unless you're USC or UCLA, being a short driving distance from your very top bowl game isn't necessarily a great thing.

(2) The Fiesta Bowl is FLUSH with cash. It's clearly the wealthiest bowl outside of the Rose, as on top of the Fiesta Bowl, it also pays out the 4th largest non-BCS bowl payout for the Insight Bowl (which the Fiesta also owns) even though it actually gets lower picks from the Big Ten and Big 12 compared to lower paying bowls (the Gator and Alamo, respectively). That's why it got into the Bowl Alliance and then the BCS ahead of the Cotton in the first place... and it's also why they got in trouble now with Junker buying out champagne rooms across America. While University of Phoenix Stadium isn't quite Jerry World, the Glendale facility is without question the nicest facility of the current BCS bowls. People continuously harp on the Fiesta because it's the "noveau riche" bowl, but it's more financially secure than the Sugar and Orange Bowls. Note that the Fiesta Bowl is the only BCS bowl that has had the same sponsor through the entire existence of the BCS system (and it might be the only bowl anywhere that has had the same sponsor during that entire time). Needless to say, anyone that thinks Jerry Jones can just buy his way into the BCS system is looking at the wrong target - the Fiesta can go pound for pound in terms of money.

(3) If anyone thinks that the other BCS bowls are going to kick out the Fiesta Bowl, they're naive for this reason: those other BCS bowls are almost certainly doing the same thing and they do NOT want anything to do with that scrutiny. The Fiesta will get a public slap on the wrist, but they're not going to hold the Fiesta to a standard that none of them can live up to themselves and effectively giving open season to the press to look at their own finances.

(04-01-2011 04:32 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  (2) The Fiesta Bowl is FLUSH with cash.

And that was one of their biggest problems. They didn't know what to do with it all, and ended up spending it in ridiculous ways. Those spending habits are at the very root of their problem...

(04-01-2011 04:32 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  A few points:

(1) Have any of you actually taken a trip to Phoenix versus Dallas in January? Sure, Dallas is a cheaper flight, but as a wintertime vacation destination, there's simply no comparison: Phoenix >>>>>>>> Dallas.

Yep, around New Years, Phoenix is gorgeous, sunny, 65-70 degrees, crisp, no humidity. Beautiful. Dallas is windy, rainy/sleety, cold and miserable.

Chances are, the Fiesta isn't going anywhere. The BCS committee talk is just bluster for public relations purposes. But the Cotton might get boosted to BCS status anyway. Money talks, and Jerry World and FOX will be hard to ignore.

I doubt that the Fiesta Bowl is completely out of the woods, Steve, and it may not be the NCAA or BCS that acts upon it. I've got a feeling the federal government is going to get into this. Election law violations are not to be ignored or brushed over, and if the BCS or NCAA can't regulate themselves, somebody will end up doing it for them...

(04-01-2011 08:22 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  I doubt that the Fiesta Bowl is completely out of the woods, Steve, and it may not be the NCAA or BCS that acts upon it. I've got a feeling the federal government is going to get into this. Election law violations are not to be ignored or brushed over, and if the BCS or NCAA can't regulate themselves, somebody will end up doing it for them...

No doubt, the IRS and other federal agencies could land fatal blows not only to the Fiesta but the Orange as well. And i doubt the Sugar wants to be subject to close scrutiny either.

I just don't think it likely that it will turn out that way.

(04-01-2011 04:32 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  A few points:

(1) Have any of you actually taken a trip to Phoenix versus Dallas in January? Sure, Dallas is a cheaper flight, but as a wintertime vacation destination, there's simply no comparison: Phoenix >>>>>>>> Dallas. Just because Chicago is centralized to the Big Ten schools doesn't mean those fans would rather send their champ to Soldier Field for a bowl instead of the Rose Bowl. Likewise, don't assume that Longhorns and Sooner fans and players would rather stick around Dallas during the holidays, particularly when the Texas-based Big 12 schools plus OU all already play at least one annual regular season game in the DFW area (if not Jerry World itself). Unless you're USC or UCLA, being a short driving distance from your very top bowl game isn't necessarily a great thing.

(2) The Fiesta Bowl is FLUSH with cash. It's clearly the wealthiest bowl outside of the Rose, as on top of the Fiesta Bowl, it also pays out the 4th largest non-BCS bowl payout for the Insight Bowl (which the Fiesta also owns) even though it actually gets lower picks from the Big Ten and Big 12 compared to lower paying bowls (the Gator and Alamo, respectively). That's why it got into the Bowl Alliance and then the BCS ahead of the Cotton in the first place... and it's also why they got in trouble now with Junker buying out champagne rooms across America. While University of Phoenix Stadium isn't quite Jerry World, the Glendale facility is without question the nicest facility of the current BCS bowls. People continuously harp on the Fiesta because it's the "noveau riche" bowl, but it's more financially secure than the Sugar and Orange Bowls. Note that the Fiesta Bowl is the only BCS bowl that has had the same sponsor through the entire existence of the BCS system (and it might be the only bowl anywhere that has had the same sponsor during that entire time). Needless to say, anyone that thinks Jerry Jones can just buy his way into the BCS system is looking at the wrong target - the Fiesta can go pound for pound in terms of money.

(3) If anyone thinks that the other BCS bowls are going to kick out the Fiesta Bowl, they're naive for this reason: those other BCS bowls are almost certainly doing the same thing and they do NOT want anything to do with that scrutiny. The Fiesta will get a public slap on the wrist, but they're not going to hold the Fiesta to a standard that none of them can live up to themselves and effectively giving open season to the press to look at their own finances.

1) One thing about Dallas weather in January is that it's very unpredictable. It could be either 75 and sunny or 42 and raining. I go to Phoenix for work related purposes very often and it's a boring town. Phoenix in the winter time is great if you love golf, if not, then it's one of the most boring cities in America. No amusement parks for the kids, limited art and cultural choices, etc. Dallas/Fort Worth offers more variety but once again, you run the chance of having great weather or crappy weather like the one we had for the Super Bowl. But since Jerry World is indoors, who cares if it's sunny or raining. I understand if we're talking about L.A., Miami, Tampa, Orlando, San Diego, San Antonio, New Orleans, Las Vegas and even Houston but I never understood the fascination with Phoenix in the winter (other than golf).

2) The only reason why the Fiesta passed the Cotton when the BCS was created is because the Cotton Bowl was a dump just like Sun Devil Stadium is. But given the choice of both crappy stadiums, at least Phoenix more or less guaranteed better weather than Dallas. If Jerry World was around then, it would not even be an argument of which bowl would be a BCS bowl. I despise Jerry Jones but everybody here in the great state of Texas knows what Jerry wants is what Jerry gets. The Cotton Bowl will be a BCS bowl, count on it.

3) I'm not sure on that one. The Feds might get involved this time . I don't think the Fiesta and Orange are the only ones doing this. I'm sure all bowls do some dirty dealings one way or the other.

(04-01-2011 11:28 PM)UTEPDallas Wrote:  1) One thing about Dallas weather in January is that it's very unpredictable. It could be either 75 and sunny or 42 and raining. I go to Phoenix for work related purposes very often and it's a boring town. Phoenix in the winter time is great if you love golf, if not, then it's one of the most boring cities in America. No amusement parks for the kids, limited art and cultural choices, etc. Dallas/Fort Worth offers more variety

Yikes! I've visited both during the winter several times and Phoenix strikes me as far more interesting. Not only is the weather better, but you are surrounded by gorgeous terrain in all directions.

Dallas/FW is not only a sprawling sterile/antiseptic glass and steel city, it's in the middle of a flat featureless dust bowl. IMHO, the odds of getting bored in the Phoenix area in January are far, far less than of having that happen in DFW.

I think for Big East fans Dallas would be cheaper and easier to get to than phoenix.

(04-02-2011 09:45 AM)Cubanbull Wrote:  I think for Big East fans Dallas would be cheaper and easier to get to than phoenix.

Since that's a fact, i doubt anyone would dispute it. I think Frank was making a point about the desirability of the destination. E.g., Dallas is closer/cheaper than Hawaii, but the latter is more fun to go to.

(04-02-2011 10:28 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(04-02-2011 09:45 AM)Cubanbull Wrote:  I think for Big East fans Dallas would be cheaper and easier to get to than phoenix.

Since that's a fact, i doubt anyone would dispute it. I think Frank was making a point about the desirability of the destination. E.g., Dallas is closer/cheaper than Hawaii, but the latter is more fun to go to.

LOL. I have ben to both dallas and phoenix (fiesta bowl) and really dont think the difference on being a better destination is that great. Neither of them is hawaii. So with that said a cheaper trip to dallas would probably mean more fans, more money to do other activities and thus a better fun atmosphere for Big East fans.

(04-01-2011 09:26 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(04-01-2011 08:22 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  I doubt that the Fiesta Bowl is completely out of the woods, Steve, and it may not be the NCAA or BCS that acts upon it. I've got a feeling the federal government is going to get into this. Election law violations are not to be ignored or brushed over, and if the BCS or NCAA can't regulate themselves, somebody will end up doing it for them...

No doubt, the IRS and other federal agencies could land fatal blows not only to the Fiesta but the Orange as well. And i doubt the Sugar wants to be subject to close scrutiny either.

I just don't think it likely that it will turn out that way.

I seriously doubt any bowl wants the government looking closely at their books, or any other aspect of their business dealings. IMO none of them would be able escape unscathed after an in-depth government investigation...

(04-02-2011 02:44 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  

(04-01-2011 09:26 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(04-01-2011 08:22 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  I doubt that the Fiesta Bowl is completely out of the woods, Steve, and it may not be the NCAA or BCS that acts upon it. I've got a feeling the federal government is going to get into this. Election law violations are not to be ignored or brushed over, and if the BCS or NCAA can't regulate themselves, somebody will end up doing it for them...

No doubt, the IRS and other federal agencies could land fatal blows not only to the Fiesta but the Orange as well. And i doubt the Sugar wants to be subject to close scrutiny either.

I just don't think it likely that it will turn out that way.

I seriously doubt any bowl wants the government looking closely at their books, or any other aspect of their business dealings. IMO none of them would be able escape unscathed after an in-depth government investigation...

Agree...which is why ALL Bowls for the past 5-6 days have been going over all of their accounting/spending records...and if need be...burning old documents and typing up new ones.

As one unnamed Bowl CEO said about the foolish Fiesta Bowl CEO who blew $1,200 Fiesta Bowl CREDIT CARD CHARGE at a strip club...."USE PETTY CASH YOU MORON if you want to go to strip club and not pay for it yourself!"