(02-23-2021 11:38 AM)Tiger87 Wrote:  

(02-23-2021 09:38 AM)Browning Hall Wrote:  I may be in the minority, but I’ve never understood why some feel the Liberty Bowl game (and Earhart) owes the football program (or the AAC) anything. It’s a separate entity looking to attract fans from all over the region. Traveling fans that will have a positive economic impact on the city. The SEC and Big 12 fit that bill. Ehrhart’s job (at least part of it) is to attract a wide audience while creating a salable matchup for ESPN.

Tampa has the Outback Bowl - no AAC tie-in
Orlando has the Citrus Bowl - no AAC tie-in
Orlando has the Cheeze-It Bowl - no AAC tie-in
Houston has the Texas Bowl - no AAC tie-in
Charlotte (ECU) has the Dukes Mayo Bowl - no AAC tie-in
Dallas has the First Responder Bowl - AAC is an alternate only
Birmingham (UAB) has the Birmingham Bowl - CUSA is an alternate only
Memphis has the Liberty Bowl - AAC is an alternate only

The above may or may not be totally accurate, but it appears Ehrhart isn’t exactly breaking ranks here.

I mean, I think the UofM has a much stronger civic bond with the city than any of those other examples you've listed, for starters. And I believe the DFW metro area has 2 other bowls with AAC ties.

But if that is how you feel, then it goes both ways. Memphis fans owe the LB nothing either. And that is the case that has been made here - that Memphis fans simply quit supporting the LB.
And that we tp roll Ehrhart's yard.

It’s not so much how I feel as it is my attempt to make sense of it. I agree the UofM and Memphis have a much stronger bond than any of those listed. No comparison, but the city doesn’t own the game either. I always put Tigers first. But fans are free to do as they choose, regardless.

Personally, as both a Tiger fan and UofM alum, I’ve never felt any obligation to support (or not) the Liberty Bowl. It’s just another event, same as Music Fest, etc. And I’m not bothered that Music Fest doesn’t have a Memphis act headlining the event every year. Maybe I should be but I’m not.