Second Bowl Game For The Sbc?

Charlie NT 73 · July 21, 2008

Big story on Blueraiderzone.com, regarding the SBC Media Days meetings.

Wright Waters, the commissioner of the SBC, will make announcement.

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=349&f=2388&t=2696269

If a second bowl tie-in is true, this would be welcome news for the conference!

UNTflyer · July 21, 2008

Looks like the Liberty Bowl.

Arkstfan · July 21, 2008

It will not be a new bowl game.

You don't announce the creation of a new game unless you have at least back-channel knowledge that the NCAA will certify it. The NCAA won't do that because there is so much concern over what happens with the two extra games this year. You can't even think seriously about a new bowl being created until December when we see how many eligible teams this season produces and you really can't expect the NCAA to give even informal approval before January when they see if the existing games get filled and whether the existing games can make their budgets and pay out what is owed.

It won't be replacing an existing conference in an existing bowl.

No bowl that has a contract expiring will agree to announce they are kicking someone out until that conference has showed up and bought their tickets.

fauowls44 · July 21, 2008

Could it be an announcement of a secondary tie-in. As in, if so-and-so conference doesn't qualify a team then the SBC gets the slot. That is my guess.

That is what is being "reported" on the FAU board. This would be a step forward, but I'd still prefer another automatic bid.

http://fauowlsnest.com/board/index.php?topic=5396.0

Just came across to interesting information in the form of talking points.
SUN BELT CONFERENCE
FOOTBALL MEDIA DAY
Coaches Talking Points
2008
There is much to be proud of in the Sun Belt Conference relative to football. There is also much going on behind the scenes to make the future even brighter, we want you to have all these facts in front of you as you prepare for the 2008 Conference Media Days
1. POST SEASON BOWLS. On Tuesday morning we will announce a relationship with the Papa Johns Bowl (Birmingham), St. Petersburg Bowl (St. Petersburg, FL) and the PetroSun Independence Bowl (Shreveport, LA). These agreements call for Sun Belt conference teams with winning records to serve as alternates should the bowls primary contractual partner not have sufficient numbers of teams. SBC teams will be eligible for 5 bowls.
THOUGHTS:
a. There are now 34 bowls and 70 is the average number of teams that are bowl eligible.
b. SEC 9 vs. Big East 5 (Papa Johns) – the SEC has never had 9 teams available in years in which they have had 2 in the BCS. The chances of us replacing the SEC and playing Big East 5 are excellent.
c. Big East 6 vs. CUSA 7 (St. Petersburg) both Big East 6 and CUSA 7 are suspect. The Big East averages 6 teams as bowl eligible and would not have a team should they have two in the BCS. CUSA was two teams short of fulfilling on the last week of the season last year.
d. Big XII 7 vs. SEC 8 (PetroSun Bowl) this bowl has had only one year (2005) when it was short a team – but the Big XII and SEC have added bowls and we believe this is an opportunity to create a relationship for future negotiations. They have 2 years remaining on their current agreements.
e. WHY THIS TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP vs. TRADITIONAL BOWL TIE UP
1. As America’s newest FBS Conference we have yet to establish large followings of fans (4000 is the highest number of tickets sales to date) this is our best opportunity to insure our schools will stay regional and build up a following.
2. Creating bowls is expensive. To establish a traditional bowl we are looking at a 1.5M annual investment as opposed to no risk in these games and a guaranteed net pay out.
3. If we had gone the traditional route only three leagues have teams available for games, this gives us an opportunity to play higher profile opponents and improve our own power rankings with a victory.
4. Creating a bowl in our geographical area would require being the second game in an existing city. Moving out of our area would create a travel hardship for fans. We are still in the attendance business.
5. These are all bowls managed by experienced professionals that will insure the best bowl experience for our student/athletes.
2. STRENGTH OF THE SUN BELT. 2007 saw the second time in 4 years that the SBC has passed the Mid American in various power rankings. This is important as BCS dollars are partially distributed based on the strength of the league relative to other non-automatic qualifying conference. The SBC received an additional 500K because of this success. There are 119 teams in FBS. The average of teams in the five “non-automatic qualifying” conferences for 2007 was Mountain West 60.6,; WAC 79.5; CUSA 87.3; SBC 89.77; MAC 93.1. As you can see, we are ahead of the MAC and have closed the gap with CUSA. 2.4 represent about one game.
3. BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES (BCS) MEMBERSHIP. As a member of the BCS our conference receives the same rights and opportunities as any other league. We can play our way into becoming an automatic qualifying conference. We have a vote on all issues. We have enhanced access to the five BCS bowl games. An opportunity that the WAC has enjoyed the past two years. If Boise and Hawaii can play in a BCS game then so can we.
4. SUN BELT CONFERENCE VERSUS REGIONAL RIVAL. In the past 2 years SBC and CUSA have played 15 times, the Sun Belt holds an 8-7 advantage. The Sun Belt has dominated the past two R-L Carriers New Orleans Bowls.
5. 2007 HIGH PROFILE WINS. Proof positive that the league can compete at the highest level. Troy defeats Oklahoma State, Florida Atlantic defeats Minnesota and ULM defeats Alabama.
6. SCHEDULES ARE CHANGING. We are seeing changes in non-conference schedules as more teams are able to attract high profile teams to their campus as part of home and home series. Even as guarantees are going up (1M has become a minimum) the number of teams willing to come to our facilities has increased. This is important as it adds to credibility, enhances crowds and creates national attention.
7. FACILITIES IMPROVING. WKU is improving their facility; FIU stadium will open in September, FAU and UNT have been authorized to begin the stadium process. ASU, ULL, ULM have installed new turf and ULL has opened an indoor training facility.
8. BETTER PLAYERS. Two first round draft choices in the past 4 years. Demarcus Ware 2005 draft 11th pick to Dallas and Leodis McKelvin 11th pick in 2008 draft to Buffalo.
9. ATTENDANCE. From humble beginnings of per game averaging less than 10,000 as a conference in 2001 to over 20, 000 in 2007 significant gains have been made at the turnstile.
10. TELEVISION. From no TV in 2001 to 5 national broadcast and 8 regional games in 2007, to 4 national games and 10 regional games in 2008.
11. COACHES. Sun Belt Conference coaches represent a cross section of the coaching community; all have either competed as players or coaches at the national championship level.
12. OFFICIATING. Conference officials have continued to distinguish themselves by being selected to work post season bowl games that do not involve Sun Belt teams. 2007 Liberty Bowl. Conference continues to upgrade the XOs Instant Replay System (also used by Big XII, Pac 10, WAC, MWC, MAC) next significant upgrade is in 2010 as we will switch to digital cameras.
13. ACADEMICS. 12 of 13 Sun Belt Schools graduate student/athletes at rates higher than the student body. 180 Football student-athletes were recognized for having a 3.00 average of higher during 2007-08.
14. COMMUNITY SERVICE. The Sun Belt Conference football staffs that participated in the clinics to assist the New Orleans Recreation Department July 2007 were nationally recognized by NCAA Football, Inc, AFCA, NCAA and National Football Foundation.
15. FUTURE. WKU will join the league in 2009, which will result in 4 home and 4 away games. South Alabama will join the league in 2013 and we will remain at 8 conference games rotating teams each year.

SUMG · July 21, 2008

That is what is being "reported" on the FAU board. This would be a step forward, but I'd still prefer another automatic bid.
http://fauowlsnest.com/board/index.php?topic=5396.0

What does this mean?

1. As America’s newest FBS Conference we have yet to establish large followings of fans (4000 is the highest number of tickets sales to date) this is our best opportunity to insure our schools will stay regional and build up a following.

Is he saying that the most ticket sales that have ever been bought by a SBC school going to a bowl game is 4000?

filmerj · July 21, 2008

"FAU and UNT have been authorized to begin the stadium process."

Really.. I had no idea we had to be given permission. Maybe now we will start hearing some news. Sorry, couldn't resist. Yea.. secondary bowl tie in, as long as other people suck worse than us.

FirefightnRick · July 21, 2008

What does this mean?
1. As America’s newest FBS Conference we have yet to establish large followings of fans (4000 is the highest number of tickets sales to date) this is our best opportunity to insure our schools will stay regional and build up a following.
Is he saying that the most ticket sales that have ever been bought by a SBC school going to a bowl game is 4000?

I was wondering the same thing? If so that isn't right at all.

Rick

stebo · July 21, 2008

I am going to guess that number relates to season ticket sales. That sounds about right. It is kind of skewed because we do not require our students to purchase season tickets in the traditional sense - they get in free with their ID but they pay for those tickets in the form of a fee. So our students are really all season ticket holders to general admission seats.

As for the bowl tie in being a secondary bowl tie in - what that will ensure is that we will have the right to that bowl if the other team doesn't have enough qualified teams and that a 6-6 Sun Belt team would be eligible for it. Otherwise, the bowl would have the choice and they would be able to pick a 7-5 Kansas team at large over our runner-up, even if Kansas was 10th place in the Big 12. It is a step in the right direction and I imagine that it will be used right away (the spot) because there are so many conferences that just have not ever had the amount of teams eligible for the bowl spots that they have claim to. In addition to having that spot somewhat secured to the Belt rather then the free market - we probably do not have to pay nearly as much to subsidize the bowl game. A secondary tie in (with a high likelihood of being used at least once every other year) is a much better financial investment than paying for a guaranteed spot. A guaranteed spot could run the Belt anywhere from $400K-$750K a year, a secondary tie in will probably be about $100K or so. I am just curious as to which one it is because if it is replacing the 9th place Big East team than we might get in there every year (they have never had 9 teams bowl eligible since the BCS was set up)...

I guess we will find out soon! Very exciting to watch our conference grow!

Arkstfan · July 21, 2008

1. POST SEASON BOWLS. On Tuesday morning we will announce a relationship with the Papa Johns Bowl (Birmingham), St. Petersburg Bowl (St. Petersburg, FL) and the PetroSun Independence Bowl (Shreveport, LA). These agreements call for Sun Belt conference teams with winning records to serve as alternates should the bowls primary contractual partner not have sufficient numbers of teams. SBC teams will be eligible for 5 bowls.
THOUGHTS:
a. There are now 34 bowls and 70 is the average number of teams that are bowl eligible.
b. SEC 9 vs. Big East 5 (Papa Johns) – the SEC has never had 9 teams available in years in which they have had 2 in the BCS. The chances of us replacing the SEC and playing Big East 5 are excellent.
c. Big East 6 vs. CUSA 7 (St. Petersburg) both Big East 6 and CUSA 7 are suspect. The Big East averages 6 teams as bowl eligible and would not have a team should they have two in the BCS. CUSA was two teams short of fulfilling on the last week of the season last year.
d. Big XII 7 vs. SEC 8 (PetroSun Bowl) this bowl has had only one year (2005) when it was short a team – but the Big XII and SEC have added bowls and we believe this is an opportunity to create a relationship for future negotiations. They have 2 years remaining on their current agreements.

There is your answer.

Edited July 21, 2008 by Arkstfan

FirefightnRick · July 21, 2008

Connections to 4 bowls? That's a new, powerful recruiting tool for our coaches throughout the league.

Rick

Cr1028 · July 21, 2008

It is kind of skewed because we do not require our students to purchase season tickets in the traditional sense - they get in free with their ID but they pay for those tickets in the form of a fee. So our students are really all season ticket holders to general admission seats.

Not according to our Athletic Dept.'s executive director of pissing fans off.

GreenStreet · July 21, 2008

This act was only a matter of time. Fans are not willing to watch their 6-team play a 6-6 team. It should not be a surprise then if the SBC or WAC schools start getting tie ins when these teams have the potential to have better records. It is not about adding more bowl games its who they add. For example, what is the point of having the Cotton bowl or Independence bowl, the Outback bowl or Alamo bowl when the difference between teams records is one win or loss.