How do teams like us afford?

[NewApp]

In my mind the only teams that reap any real benefit from the current bowl format are the bottom feeders in the major conferences. A Wake or a Vanderbilt is better off financially to NOT go to a bowl, especially if an FSU or an Alabama can reach the championship. The big money from the big games goes back to the conference and is shared. A Wake for example would undoubtably lose money at most of the small bowls- when you factor in transportation costs for the team, band, family and friends. Fortunately the ACC probably defrays most of the cost. Some argue that the benefits of playing in a bowl outweigh the costs. How has Wake done since their Orange Bowl appearance? Northern Illinois is projected to possibly play in the Bahamas Bowl this year. While the players will love it the school will take a bath on the ticket piece. How many people will attend a bowl game in the Bahamas? Assuming that 4 Sunbelt teams can possibly qualify for bowls next year, will the conference defray costs for all the teams involved. As much as I love App I can't see a huge contingent of fans flocking to many venues outside of Northern Florida, NC or maybe Alabama or Tennessee. The tie-in system is just ridiculous.

"How many people will attend a bowl game in the Bahamas? "

I might. I'd just love to have an additional excuse for another trip to the Bahamas. j/k

[AppinVA]

In my mind the only teams that reap any real benefit from the current bowl format are the bottom feeders in the major conferences. A Wake or a Vanderbilt is better off financially to NOT go to a bowl, especially if an FSU or an Alabama can reach the championship. The big money from the big games goes back to the conference and is shared. A Wake for example would undoubtably lose money at most of the small bowls- when you factor in transportation costs for the team, band, family and friends. Fortunately the ACC probably defrays most of the cost. Some argue that the benefits of playing in a bowl outweigh the costs. How has Wake done since their Orange Bowl appearance? Northern Illinois is projected to possibly play in the Bahamas Bowl this year. While the players will love it the school will take a bath on the ticket piece. How many people will attend a bowl game in the Bahamas? Assuming that 4 Sunbelt teams can possibly qualify for bowls next year, will the conference defray costs for all the teams involved. As much as I love App I can't see a huge contingent of fans flocking to many venues outside of Northern Florida, NC or maybe Alabama or Tennessee. The tie-in system is just ridiculous.

"How many people will attend a bowl game in the Bahamas? "

I might. I'd just love to have an additional excuse for another trip to the Bahamas. j/k

Yeah, you'll be there. But the Wednesday before the game, you'll start a thread on why you'll be in Freeport, instead of Nassau.

[NewApp]

In my mind the only teams that reap any real benefit from the current bowl format are the bottom feeders in the major conferences. A Wake or a Vanderbilt is better off financially to NOT go to a bowl, especially if an FSU or an Alabama can reach the championship. The big money from the big games goes back to the conference and is shared. A Wake for example would undoubtably lose money at most of the small bowls- when you factor in transportation costs for the team, band, family and friends. Fortunately the ACC probably defrays most of the cost. Some argue that the benefits of playing in a bowl outweigh the costs. How has Wake done since their Orange Bowl appearance? Northern Illinois is projected to possibly play in the Bahamas Bowl this year. While the players will love it the school will take a bath on the ticket piece. How many people will attend a bowl game in the Bahamas? Assuming that 4 Sunbelt teams can possibly qualify for bowls next year, will the conference defray costs for all the teams involved. As much as I love App I can't see a huge contingent of fans flocking to many venues outside of Northern Florida, NC or maybe Alabama or Tennessee. The tie-in system is just ridiculous.

"How many people will attend a bowl game in the Bahamas? "

I might. I'd just love to have an additional excuse for another trip to the Bahamas. j/k

Yeah, you'll be there. But the Wednesday before the game, you'll start a thread on why you'll be in Freeport, instead of Nassau.

Naah. I like Nassau better. Again, I call your SA to my signature.

[App91]

In my mind the only teams that reap any real benefit from the current bowl format are the bottom feeders in the major conferences. A Wake or a Vanderbilt is better off financially to NOT go to a bowl, especially if an FSU or an Alabama can reach the championship. The big money from the big games goes back to the conference and is shared. A Wake for example would undoubtably lose money at most of the small bowls- when you factor in transportation costs for the team, band, family and friends. Fortunately the ACC probably defrays most of the cost. Some argue that the benefits of playing in a bowl outweigh the costs. How has Wake done since their Orange Bowl appearance? Northern Illinois is projected to possibly play in the Bahamas Bowl this year. While the players will love it the school will take a bath on the ticket piece. How many people will attend a bowl game in the Bahamas? Assuming that 4 Sunbelt teams can possibly qualify for bowls next year, will the conference defray costs for all the teams involved. As much as I love App I can't see a huge contingent of fans flocking to many venues outside of Northern Florida, NC or maybe Alabama or Tennessee. The tie-in system is just ridiculous.

And how would they be able to get passports for all players who didn't currently hold one??? ---

Very good point! Family has taken some cruises recently and I know it takes a few weeks and about $150 a pop to get a passport. Guess the school can pay to expedite. How would you like to eat that cost, especially knowing that most of the kids would never use the passport again before it expires? Seriously though, a bowl game in the Bahamas? I watched some college BB games last week and the court was set up in a ballroom of a hotel and it appeared to me that the seating might have accomodated a few hundred people.

Great question? Can the school pay for a kids passport? Would the NCAA allow it? As far as the BB games yes the seating was pretty limited ( I have been in that ballroom ) but even at that it was still empty from what I could see on TV.

Just read that the Popeye's Bahamas Bowl is to be played in a multi-purpose 15,000 seat complex- complete with track around it. Participating schools are going to take a bath on this one. I guess, like most bowls participating schools will send teams (and bands?) to this tiny venue? Flights and hotels will be very expensive. Aren't players given some form of a stipend on bowl trips? The game is played on Christmas Eve to make matters worse. Might be the best overall location to go but might be the worst for cost.

Went there for Spring Brake as a App State Senior in 1991! Cost me $99 for a cruise and hotel!

Actually a Ferry from Miami to Freeport for $50.

[bcoach]

That $49 motel room must have been really nice

[App91]

That $49 motel room must have been really nice

No, the whole trip was $99! (that $50 ferry is now) You would NOT take your family!

[bcoach]

That $49 motel room must have been really nice

No, the whole trip was $99! (that $50 ferry is now) You would NOT take your family!

We went back again last year but this time NO hotel. We rented a boat and cruised for a week. It was just a little more than $99 We normally do this in Tortola BVI and will go back there in the future. Either place $99 is the price of dinner

[App91]

That $49 motel room must have been really nice

No, the whole trip was $99! (that $50 ferry is now) You would NOT take your family!

We went back again last year but this time NO hotel. We rented a boat and cruised for a week. It was just a little more than $99 We normally do this in Tortola BVI and will go back there in the future. Either place $99 is the price of dinner

Lots have changed in 24 years!!