Sun Belt Negotiating For Second Bowl

MeanGreen61 · July 24, 2007

Posted on the Sun Belt board by SpaceRaider

Sun Belt negotiating for second bowl

NEW ORLEANS -- Sun Belt Conference commissioner Wright Waters confirmed today that the league is in talks to secure a second automatic bowl tie-in.

Waters said the Sun Belt has been approached by three bowls, and that one bowl is currently in negotiations with the league. He did not identify those prospective bowls at Sun Belt Media Days.

Such possible candidates could be the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala., Papa Johns Bowl in Birmingham, Ala. or New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque, N.M. All Division I-A bowls except the Poinsettia Bowl have conference tie-ins, however Waters said some of those contracts could expire or be abandoned soon based on cost to conferences.

No second bowl tie-in will be contracted to the Sun Belt for the 2007 season.

PerryG2480 · July 24, 2007

While I won't complain about any of them, I'd prefer New Mexico as a location over the other two. As far as name recognition (would it change?), I think there's not much difference between them.

greenminer · July 24, 2007

Waters is making things happen. 2 years from now we'll be in a contract to play ND if THEY manage to qualify for the BCS bowl. That's the only way I see them earning a spot to play us.

Smitty · July 24, 2007

Huge news. That would be a major step in the development of the conference.

MCMLXXX · July 24, 2007

Is it possible that the Fort Worth Bowl wll become an option?

meangreendork · July 25, 2007

"Such possible candidates could be the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala., Papa Johns Bowl in Birmingham, Ala..."

Shouldn't it be the "Papa John's Pizza Pan"?

No, but I really like the name "New Mexico Bowl". It sounds better and more prestigious than "Random Corporation Name" Bowl.

Edited July 25, 2007 by meangreendork

LongJim · July 25, 2007

Mobile's not a bad destination. Having been to all three locations, I'd be excited about Mobile, NM, and Birmingham, in that order.

UNTflyer · July 25, 2007

Mobile's not a bad destination. Having been to all three locations, I'd be excited about Mobile, NM, and Birmingham, in that order.

Mobile is my preference. Pensacola beaches on one side, Biloxi casinos on the other.

MeanGreen61 · July 25, 2007

Palm Beach Post blurb - 2nd Sun Belt bowl will be in the SOUTHEAST

Sun Belt commissioner Wright Waters said the league will likely have a second bowl affiliation by the time Western Kentucky joins the league in 2009.

That will be a positive step. The Sun Belt has put two teams in bowls in the last three years, but those teams were shipped out to distant locations , making it difficult for fans. Troy went the Silicon Valley Bowl in 2005 and Middle Tennessee played in the Motor City Bowl in Detroit last season, but the Sun Belt’s second bowl game will be in the Southeast, making it easier for fans to attend.

KAjunRaider · July 25, 2007

Palm Beach Post blurb - 2nd Sun Belt bowl will be in the SOUTHEAST
Sun Belt commissioner Wright Waters said the league will likely have a second bowl affiliation by the time Western Kentucky joins the league in 2009.
That will be a positive step. The Sun Belt has put two teams in bowls in the last three years, but those teams were shipped out to distant locations , making it difficult for fans. Troy went the Silicon Valley Bowl in 2005 and Middle Tennessee played in the Motor City Bowl in Detroit last season, but the Sun Belt’s second bowl game will be in the Southeast, making it easier for fans to attend.

Sounds like WKU is getting in while the gettin's good. Won't have to take quite as many lumps as the rest of us.