Going forward, the gang of five conference with the best bowl line up, like always, will earn more money, garner more prestige, and enjoy a recrutiing advantage over our peers. One line in this article made me realize that deciding and stablizing our membership very soon is not just about a TV contract. Its also about our future bowl line up.
Just as the current BCS contract expires after next season, so, too, do the conferences' contracts with all of the other bowls. Over the next six months, leagues will line up their non-BCS bowl partners for the next cycle (expected to be six years instead of four), and officials on both sides are already talking about shakeup -- both in regard to the lineup and the way they conduct business together.
Overall, its a pretty interesting article that discusses some of the issues facing the current bowl system and some of the changes that may be coming.
Read More:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college...z2Hcy7MDef
Given the weather (a blizzard) and distance (2,500 miles), UConn's attendance at the Fiesta Bowl doesn't look so bad anymore.
Nebraska sold only 4,000 tickets this year. Florida sold only 6,500. And don't give me that crap about how Florida fans weren't that excited about playing Louisville. Boo hoo
. Was the drive from Florida to New Orleans too far?
"Big time" schools are a joke. How did the New Orleans hotel owners feel about the Gators this year? I bet they can't wait for Florida to be invited back. The examples in the article are endless. Clemson-LSU? That was a cluster.
Let's face it: Americans are bowl weary, and the power conferences are no more immune to it than anyone else.
(01-10-2013 09:20 PM)UConn-SMU Wrote: [ -> ]Given the weather (a blizzard) and distance (2,500 miles), UConn's attendance at the Fiesta Bowl doesn't look so bad anymore.
Nebraska sold only 4,000 tickets this year. Florida sold only 6,500. And don't give me that crap about how Florida fans weren't that excited about playing Louisville. Boo hoo . Was the drive from Florida to New Orleans too far?
"Big time" schools are a joke. How did the New Orleans hotel owners feel about the Gators this year? I bet they can't wait for Florida to be invited back. The examples in the article are endless. Clemson-LSU? That was a cluster.
Let's face it: Americans are bowl weary, and the power conferences are no more immune to it than anyone else.
The N. O. Bowl had 49,000 in attendance, with Louisiana having 45,000 fans. We sold 24,000 tickets in Lafayette and with a large alumni base in N. O., sold another 21,000 tickets at the Superdome. Only 6,500 lower attendance than the Sugar Bowl. We broke last years record of 43,000 attendance and 40,000 Louisiana fans. Oh yeah, we beat San Diego State and ECU, both nBE invitees. Compare that to what Nebraska and Florida did. So called "big time" schools don't always hold the edge.
Wonder what mid-level bowl is going away?
(01-10-2013 09:20 PM)UConn-SMU Wrote: [ -> ]Given the weather (a blizzard) and distance (2,500 miles), UConn's attendance at the Fiesta Bowl doesn't look so bad anymore.
Nebraska sold only 4,000 tickets this year. Florida sold only 6,500. And don't give me that crap about how Florida fans weren't that excited about playing Louisville. Boo hoo . Was the drive from Florida to New Orleans too far?
"Big time" schools are a joke. How did the New Orleans hotel owners feel about the Gators this year? I bet they can't wait for Florida to be invited back. The examples in the article are endless. Clemson-LSU? That was a cluster.
Let's face it: Americans are bowl weary, and the power conferences are no more immune to it than anyone else.
Florida fans weren't excited to play Louisville like they weren't excited to play Cincinnati...just a reality
We can expect the SEC and B1G to have the best lower level bowl lineups, just as they do now.
(01-10-2013 09:36 PM)HoustonCajun Wrote: [ -> ] (01-10-2013 09:20 PM)UConn-SMU Wrote: [ -> ]Given the weather (a blizzard) and distance (2,500 miles), UConn's attendance at the Fiesta Bowl doesn't look so bad anymore.
Nebraska sold only 4,000 tickets this year. Florida sold only 6,500. And don't give me that crap about how Florida fans weren't that excited about playing Louisville. Boo hoo . Was the drive from Florida to New Orleans too far?
"Big time" schools are a joke. How did the New Orleans hotel owners feel about the Gators this year? I bet they can't wait for Florida to be invited back. The examples in the article are endless. Clemson-LSU? That was a cluster.
Let's face it: Americans are bowl weary, and the power conferences are no more immune to it than anyone else.
The N. O. Bowl had 49,000 in attendance, with Louisiana having 45,000 fans. We sold 24,000 tickets in Lafayette and with a large alumni base in N. O., sold another 21,000 tickets at the Superdome. Only 6,500 lower attendance than the Sugar Bowl. We broke last years record of 43,000 attendance and 40,000 Louisiana fans. Oh yeah, we beat San Diego State and ECU, both nBE invitees. Compare that to what Nebraska and Florida did. So called "big time" schools don't always hold the edge.
It helps to have a bowl so close. UConn would have very good bowl attendance for any bowl located within a couple hours of campus. Most schools would do the same.
We had at least 6,000 at the NO bowl. Possibly as high as 8,000.
(01-10-2013 09:36 PM)HoustonCajun Wrote: [ -> ] (01-10-2013 09:20 PM)UConn-SMU Wrote: [ -> ]Given the weather (a blizzard) and distance (2,500 miles), UConn's attendance at the Fiesta Bowl doesn't look so bad anymore.
Nebraska sold only 4,000 tickets this year. Florida sold only 6,500. And don't give me that crap about how Florida fans weren't that excited about playing Louisville. Boo hoo . Was the drive from Florida to New Orleans too far?
"Big time" schools are a joke. How did the New Orleans hotel owners feel about the Gators this year? I bet they can't wait for Florida to be invited back. The examples in the article are endless. Clemson-LSU? That was a cluster.
Let's face it: Americans are bowl weary, and the power conferences are no more immune to it than anyone else.
The N. O. Bowl had 49,000 in attendance, with Louisiana having 45,000 fans. We sold 24,000 tickets in Lafayette and with a large alumni base in N. O., sold another 21,000 tickets at the Superdome. Only 6,500 lower attendance than the Sugar Bowl. We broke last years record of 43,000 attendance and 40,000 Louisiana fans. Oh yeah, we beat San Diego State and ECU, both nBE invitees. Compare that to what Nebraska and Florida did. So called "big time" schools don't always hold the edge.
That's great and all, but when did ECU become "big time". But, our track record both on the field and at the ticket booth speaks for it self. Since 2010 averaging 49,000 for home games, 2010 sold 17,500 for the Military Bowl, 7,000 plus for each of the Liberty Bowls (4 all time) at the time a mind blowing 34,000 tickest for the 1992 Peach Bowl. 2008 for the season opener against VT in BofA stadium in Charlotte 72,000 total attended the game with ECU have some 38,000. But, the NO Bowl was at a bad time, right before Christmas and not an easy trip to make for many ECU fans. Not to take away from ULL or the Big Easy, but most Pirate fans want UCF to win C-USA so we could go to Fla and play a BE team closer to home.
For ECU a comparable game would be ECU in the Belk Bowl, ECU could easly send 45,000 to that Bowl game. Being 2 hours away didn't hurt ULL.
(01-11-2013 12:02 AM)Steelbeard Wrote: [ -> ]We had at least 6,000 at the NO bowl. Possibly as high as 8,000.
6,000 was what was reported.
Yet another reason why adding Tulsa is a ridiculous idea . . . heck, I would rather they add South Alabama, who at least comes with a bowl game attached . . . damn, I'm in a bad mood . . . need tomorrow to be over with . . .
Was at the N.O. bowl, ECU had 6k easy there in attendance. ULL has great fan support & first class in hosting the Pirates!! Geaux Cajuns!!
The Bowl system must be modified to insure more regional sense-that's what the numbers show
(01-11-2013 02:57 AM)Stallion Wrote: [ -> ]The Bowl system must be modified to insure more regional sense-that's what the numbers show
Hopefully with the nBE in the NE, Florida, Memphis, North Carolina, and Texas we can keep a great bowl lineup. (Lots of good bowls in those areas)
Possibilities
Pinstripe
Military (DC)
Belk Bowl (Charlotte)
Gator (Citrus, St Pete)
Liberty
Texas, Houston, Sun
If we keep SDSU maybe we could get a tie in on the West Coast.
(01-10-2013 10:48 PM)UConn-SMU Wrote: [ -> ] (01-10-2013 09:36 PM)HoustonCajun Wrote: [ -> ] (01-10-2013 09:20 PM)UConn-SMU Wrote: [ -> ]Given the weather (a blizzard) and distance (2,500 miles), UConn's attendance at the Fiesta Bowl doesn't look so bad anymore.
Nebraska sold only 4,000 tickets this year. Florida sold only 6,500. And don't give me that crap about how Florida fans weren't that excited about playing Louisville. Boo hoo . Was the drive from Florida to New Orleans too far?
"Big time" schools are a joke. How did the New Orleans hotel owners feel about the Gators this year? I bet they can't wait for Florida to be invited back. The examples in the article are endless. Clemson-LSU? That was a cluster.
Let's face it: Americans are bowl weary, and the power conferences are no more immune to it than anyone else.
The N. O. Bowl had 49,000 in attendance, with Louisiana having 45,000 fans. We sold 24,000 tickets in Lafayette and with a large alumni base in N. O., sold another 21,000 tickets at the Superdome. Only 6,500 lower attendance than the Sugar Bowl. We broke last years record of 43,000 attendance and 40,000 Louisiana fans. Oh yeah, we beat San Diego State and ECU, both nBE invitees. Compare that to what Nebraska and Florida did. So called "big time" schools don't always hold the edge.
It helps to have a bowl so close. UConn would have very good bowl attendance for any bowl located within a couple hours of campus. Most schools would do the same.
That's the key, regional games that fans can drive to and not have to spend their retirement to attend. "Death to the BCS" detailed how much better a "lower" tiered bowl does if they match regional games. New Orleans is the latest example.
(01-11-2013 12:38 AM)UHCougar Wrote: [ -> ]Yet another reason why adding Tulsa is a ridiculous idea . . . heck, I would rather they add South Alabama, who at least comes with a bowl game attached . . . damn, I'm in a bad mood . . . need tomorrow to be over with . . .
Yes, lets base conference moves on the most fraudulent, corrupt system know to man. The Bowl System.
I love going to bowls. Had a great teim taking my two young boys to the Liberty Bowl this year.
But this system is corrupt. Read "Death to the BCS" sometime. Just makes me shake my head. Everybody makes money but the actual school playing and their fans are the one paying for the "good ol' boys" to get rich.
Sorry, I must be in a bad mood as well. Rant over. LOL.
How does the Big East negotiate? Will the conference be together? Will we be starting a new conference?
Concerning the bowl line-up... I want as many bowl games after Christmas as we can get. Playing in New Orleans a couple days before Christmas is a nightmare for travel.
Dec 30, 31, and Jan 1 are ideal. And if we get a crappy bowl lineup and excluded from the BCS, set up our champion in Las Vegas against the MWC champion. Let's try the Liberty Bowl idea again.
(01-10-2013 09:20 PM)UConn-SMU Wrote: [ -> ]Given the weather (a blizzard) and distance (2,500 miles), UConn's attendance at the Fiesta Bowl doesn't look so bad anymore.
Nebraska sold only 4,000 tickets this year. Florida sold only 6,500. And don't give me that crap about how Florida fans weren't that excited about playing Louisville. Boo hoo . Was the drive from Florida to New Orleans too far?
"Big time" schools are a joke. How did the New Orleans hotel owners feel about the Gators this year? I bet they can't wait for Florida to be invited back. The examples in the article are endless. Clemson-LSU? That was a cluster.
Let's face it: Americans are bowl weary, and the power conferences are no more immune to it than anyone else.
Another key point that even the mighty SEC brought up in recent days is hopefully a change in minimum ticket allotments that teams have to sell at certain prices for bowl games.
As noted above, Nebraska "officially" sold only 4,000 maxed priced tix to their fans...but easily had 3-4 times that amount inside the stadium on game day...as fans are finding much cheaper tickets and sometimes better seat locations online vs buying thru their schools.
Outside a handful of games where fans/boosters probably have to buy thru their school to land "face-value" tickets...85% of the other bowl games now have much cheaper tix that have flooded the online market, making purchasing bowl tickets easier and cheaper than in years past.
Then take into account that more and more fans are willing to cough up a few thousand $$$ to go see "exhibition games" and decide to watch them on their 65" HDTV's instead....bowls better start reacting to the market...because the market (ticket buying public) always sets the price...and the price right now is DROPPING.
Nobody likes mandatory ticket alotments but bowls do need some kind of minimum revenue certainty in order to stage the games, particularly the smaller bowls. The SEC may be able to effect some changes but there will still be some mechanism in place to provide that baseline of financial certainty. It is only a question of how it is paid for and by whom.
(01-11-2013 08:54 AM)KnightLight Wrote: [ -> ] (01-10-2013 09:20 PM)UConn-SMU Wrote: [ -> ]Given the weather (a blizzard) and distance (2,500 miles), UConn's attendance at the Fiesta Bowl doesn't look so bad anymore.
Nebraska sold only 4,000 tickets this year. Florida sold only 6,500. And don't give me that crap about how Florida fans weren't that excited about playing Louisville. Boo hoo . Was the drive from Florida to New Orleans too far?
"Big time" schools are a joke. How did the New Orleans hotel owners feel about the Gators this year? I bet they can't wait for Florida to be invited back. The examples in the article are endless. Clemson-LSU? That was a cluster.
Let's face it: Americans are bowl weary, and the power conferences are no more immune to it than anyone else.
Another key point that even the mighty SEC brought up in recent days is hopefully a change in minimum ticket allotments that teams have to sell at certain prices for bowl games.
As noted above, Nebraska "officially" sold only 4,000 maxed priced tix to their fans...but easily had 3-4 times that amount inside the stadium on game day...as fans are finding much cheaper tickets and sometimes better seat locations online vs buying thru their schools.
Outside a handful of games where fans/boosters probably have to buy thru their school to land "face-value" tickets...85% of the other bowl games now have much cheaper tix that have flooded the online market, making purchasing bowl tickets easier and cheaper than in years past.
Then take into account that more and more fans are willing to cough up a few thousand $$$ to go see "exhibition games" and decide to watch them on their 65" HDTV's instead....bowls better start reacting to the market...because the market (ticket buying public) always sets the price...and the price right now is DROPPING.
(01-11-2013 08:24 AM)chess Wrote: [ -> ]How does the Big East negotiate? Will the conference be together? Will we be starting a new conference?
Concerning the bowl line-up... I want as many bowl games after Christmas as we can get. Playing in New Orleans a couple days before Christmas is a nightmare for travel.
Dec 30, 31, and Jan 1 are ideal. And if we get a crappy bowl lineup and excluded from the BCS, set up our champion in Las Vegas against the MWC champion. Let's try the Liberty Bowl idea again.
The Big East bowl lineup has been very weak and that was when we were AQ and had reasonably big names like Syr, Pitt UofL, and WVU. I think some around here underestimate the strength ECU brings re fan support all around including bowl games. Nevertheless our bowl lineup is likely to be worse than when we were AQ so little chance of games around new years day.