The dirty little secret of the bowl games. The only people that make money on them are the hucksters and charlatans from the local Chambers of Commerce that put them on and the networks through advertising sales.
Typical bowl arrangement is that the participating teams get half of the allotment and the rest is dispersed among the other conference members. Participating teams are obligated to purchase a fixed allotment of tickets which they then sell to their own fans. That is why travelling well has always mattered. And the participating teams have to cover their own expenses which include extended hotel stays for the team, staff, band, and any other hangers-on who can justify getting the free week. Not to mention whatever stipends are necessary so that everyone has walking around money.
In return for all of that outlay, the players get extra practices and gift bags that average somewhere around 1k per. Maybe $2500, I’m not remembering the actuals but someone always put out a list. Give the kids winter break off, add the practices to Spring ball and hand out “bonus” checks equivalent to the average gift bag. It’d be cheaper for everyone at the school(s) in the long run and the networks/powers that be would be in a real hurry to have a true postseason that benefitted everyone instead of a select few.
Mississippi Valley State @ 
Utah 
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