Tuesday September 26, 2023
The Best Employers in Sports Survey is Now Open!

How the Bowl System Works

Front Office Sports Today

Writer’s Strike End a Boon for Sports Networks, Agencies

We delve into the potential long-term impact of the five-month strike.
Listen Now
September 26, 2023 | Podcast
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

Have you ever wondered how the broader bowl system works?

Bowl season is here, and it is more complex than you imagine.  Image via saturdaydownsouth.com

Bowl season is here, and it is more complex than you imagine. Image via saturdaydownsouth.com

Have you ever wondered how the broader bowl system works? If so, you have come to the right place. In this article, I provide a general overview of how postseason bowl games go about their business. As a former intern and committed volunteer with the CFAPeachBowl, I have had an opportunity to serve in various capacities on New Year’s Eve since the inception of the CFBPlayoff (CFP). As Atlanta prepares to host (#1) Alabama & (#4) Washington in a few weeks, I could not be more excited about this year’s game and its implications.

State of Affairs

As sport administrators, we hold a general understanding of the playoff system and the basic qualifications for postseason eligibility. For example, if a team wins at least half of its regular season games, it is eligible for bowl game consideration. Yet with 82 bowl openings for 129 FBS teams, a staggering 63% of the competing members are guaranteed a spot. Due to this exorbitant figure, consideration is sometimes given to teams that may have fallen a game short of the mark, assuming they have achieved a certain APR threshold compared to other 5-win hopefuls.

In 2015–16, the number of bowl slots compared with the number of eligible teams yielded a record three programs with losing records participating in bowls. It was for this very reason that, in April 2016, the NCAA issued a second three-year moratorium in five years that essentially halted the addition of any new bowl games. The last three-year stoppage came in 2011, and upon its expiration, six new bowl games were added in 2014 (not including the College Football Playoff). Cities that were seeking bowl certification in 2016 prior to the ban included Austin, Texas; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina.

Governance

Unlike most NCAA-sanctioned sports, the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) championship series is not exactly managed by the NCAA. Rather, it serves as more of a handler as the certifying entity. According to the 2016–17 NCAA Postseason Bowl Handbook, each postseason bowl game shall remit annually, upon notice of certification, a $10,000 fee payable to the NCAA. The administrative timeline for the overall process spans from March (postseason handbook posted) through January (institutional expense forms distributed). While the NCAA assists with important elements such as officiating assignments, the Football Bowl Association handles the day-to-day governance once a bowl is granted certification.

Why a Bowl?

The primary reason city officials may seek to add a bowl game is due in large part to the prospective economic impact on local organizations and charities. From hotel bookings during the holiday season, to other expenditures benefiting the local economy, host cities are duly welcoming of the fiscal boost postseason bowls often yield. They also serve as a sense of pride for local residents as fans from different cities literally pour into their backyards.

The conferences and bowls, on the other hand, glean their value in the form of cold hard cash. According to the 2015–16 CFP Summary of Revenue Distribution by Conference, over $425 million was distributed to the conferences, with the SEC gaining a $200k edge over the Big 10 in the $66 million club. As for the bowls, over $174 million in non-CFP revenue was doled out in the 2015–16 academic year. In short, and to quote Jerry Maguire, “Show me the money!”

Interesting tidbit: Most bowl games are classified as 501 Âİ(3) non-profit organizations and are thereby tax-exempt.

Team/Player Benefits

As coaches look to build on the success of a given season, or lack thereof, there is significant benefit to be realized by the additional practices a bowl game selection warrants. In the case of student-athletes, from strenuous summer workouts to demanding class schedules, they are rewarded with an opportunity to potentially earn a bowl ring and pick up some swag along the way. According to the postseason handbook, bowls are encouraged to provide student-athletes with awards that approach the maximum value ($550) permitted by NCAA legislation. Awards for most valuable players (MVPs) in bowl games, however, are not countable in the $550 limitation, but they must conform to NCAA legislation and are limited in value to $350. If you are interested in what the bowls will be shelling out this year in the form of gifts, check out this link: https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Special-Content/2016/12/Bowl-gifts.aspx

Kickoff

Bowl season kicks off December 17, 2016, with the second-annual Air Force Reserve CelebrationBowl in Atlanta, Georgia, featuring North Carolina Central University vs. Grambling State University. This bowl is very unique in that it pits the champion of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) against the winner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) on an annual basis. The payout is $1 million per conference. Owned and operated by ESPN Events, the contest will be broadcast on ABC.

Now that you are ready for bowl season en route to the CFP National Championship grand finale, I only have one question for you:

Who’s in?

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ohio State players celebrate after after their defeat of Notre Dame in the final seconds at Notre Dame Stadium.

Ohio State-Notre Dame Scores Historic 10.5M Viewers for NBC

It was NBC’s second-most-watched regular-season college football game ever.

Colorado Blowout Loss Slows Down Coach Prime Frenzy

Blowout loss to Oregon drops Buffaloes out of the Top 25
Tickets for Colorado’s upcoming road game against Oregon are more expensive than 14 of 16 Week 3 NFL matchups.

Deion Sanders' Impact Makes Tickets Pricier Than NFL Games

Colorado-Oregon tickets are pricier than most Week 3 NFL matchups.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is tripped up by New York Jets defensive end Solomon Thomas in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium.

NFL Viewership Sees 2% Increase in First Two Weeks of 2023 Season

The NFL is experiencing its highest viewership since 2018.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Writer’s Strike End a Boon for Sports Networks, Agencies

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

Rob-Manfred-MLB

Oakland-MLB Relationship Devolves Into Next-Level Toxicity

Commissioner, mayor have very different accounts of July meeting
Jacksonville Jaguars Team President Mark Lamping addressed community members at Strings Sports Brewery on Main Street for the first of 14 planned town hall sessions to present the team's plans for the new "stadium of the future" complex and address the public concerns.
September 25, 2023

Jacksonville Jaguars President Walks Back Stadium ‘Threat’

"Viewing those comments as a threat to leave Jacksonville isn't correct."
Chatri Sityodtong
September 25, 2023

ONE Championship's Quest To Challenge Rival UFC Through U.S. Expansion

Leveraging its Amazon deal, ONE Championship seeks to expand in U.S.
Savannah-Bananas
September 24, 2023

Savannah Bananas Break All The Rules To Hit The Mainstream

Team concludes 2023 tour with even-bigger plans for next year

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago
Fanatics
New York
Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, Inc.
USA - Multiple Locations
Big-12

Texas, Oklahoma's Big 12 Exit Could Have Cost $60M More

The school's move to the SEC is costing about $100 million.
Renderings of the University of Virginia's new proposed athletic facilities.
September 20, 2023

Virginia Joins The College Facilities Arms Race

UVA plans to upgrade football and Olympic sports facilities.
Sponsored

How Daktronics Helps Elite Athletic Programs Secure Top Talent

How colleges are utilizing Daktronics' displays to elevate recruiting.
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker speaks at post game press conference after 31-7 win over Central Michigan at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
September 19, 2023

Mel Tucker Firing Would Prevent $80M Buyout on Historic Contract

Tucker was suspended after a report of alleged sexual harassment.
SMU has raised $100 million from donors before it forgoes media rights payments for the first nine years of its ACC tenure.
September 18, 2023

SMU Raises $100M for ACC Move as Basketball, Football Sales Surge

SMU has raised $100 million ahead of its 2024 move to the ACC.
September 17, 2023

Coach Prime, Unbeaten Colorado Keep Larger-Than-Life Hype Going

Boulder was the epicenter of college football over the weekend.
September 17, 2023

Learfield Recapitalization Extends Private Equity Presence In College Sports

Deal advances private equity's presence in college sports
September 14, 2023

Dartmouth Men’s Basketball Players File Petition to Unionize

There are two other similar NLRB cases pending.