The past 12 months have been a period of great change for
the college bowls, their sponsors and TV partners. Culminating
in the new Tier I Championship in '95-'96, this year has seen
four bowls -- Gator, Fiesta, Cotton and Sugar -- lose long-time
title sponsors. As of this week, five bowls are still searching
for sponsors -- with the Gator Bowl set to announce their new
partner next week. THE DAILY surveyed the state of all 18 major
college bowls.
BOWL & SPONSOR: Nokia Sugar Bowl -- New Orleans
TERMS OF DEAL: Nokia is in the 1st of a 3-year deal with an
option for another three years. USF&G was the previous and first
title sponsor of the bowl game.
TEAMS & PAYOUT: This year, the bowl gets the 4th & 6th-ranked
teams in the bowl alliance poll. Each team is guaranteed $4.45M.
For '96, when the game has the top ranked teams, the payout will
be at least $7.8M/team.
SCHEDULE: December 31 on ABC.
BOWL: Fiesta Bowl -- Tempe, AZ
TERMS OF DEAL: IBM/OS2, the bowl's first title sponsor, did not
renew their option this year. Raycom is currently handling the
search for a new title sponsor. Dial Corp. is the bowl's backup
title sponsor.
TEAMS & PAYOUT: This year, the Fiesta gets the top ranked teams
in the alliance poll -- excluding the Pac 10 or Big 10 champion.
Each team guaranteed at least $12M.
SCHEDULE: January 2 on CBS.
BOWL & SPONSOR: FedEx Orange Bowl -- Miami
TERMS OF DEAL: FedEx, the bowl's first title sponsor, is in the
middle of a six-year deal that began in '89.
TEAMS & PAYOUT: 3rd and 5th teams in the alliance poll. Each
team is expected to be guaranteed $12M each.
SCHEDULE: January 1 on CBS.
BOWL & SPONSOR: Rose Bowl -- Pasadena
TERMS OF DEAL: They have never had a title sponsor and have
no plans to pursue one.
TEAMS & PAYOUT: Big 10 & Pac 10 champs. Last year's payout was
$6.7M/team. This year's has not been determined.
SCHEDULE: January 1 on ABC.
BOWL & SPONSOR: Peach Bowl -- Atlanta
TERMS OF DEAL: They have never had a title sponsor and have
no plans to pursue one.
TEAMS & PAYOUT: The third pick from the ACC vs. the 4th pick
from SEC. Each team is guaranteed about $1.2M.
SCHEDULE: December 30 on ESPN.
BOWL & SPONSOR: Outback Bowl -- Tampa
TERMS OF DEAL: Formerly the Hall of Fame Bowl, Outback became
the the bowl's first title sponsor two weeks ago, with a 6-year
deal.
TEAMS & PAYOUT: The third picks from the Big 10 and SEC. The
teams are guaranteed at least $1.5M each.
SCHEDULE: January 1 on ESPN.
BOWL & SPONSOR: Carquest Bowl -- Miami
TERMS OF DEAL: Carquest, the game's sponsor since '93, just
signed a 3-year extension. Blockbuster was the game's first
title sponsor.
TEAMS & PAYOUT: The fifth pick from the SEC vs. the No. 4 from
the ACC or No. 3 from the Big East. In '94, teams were
guaranteed $1M. This year's payout undetermined.
SCHEDULE: December 30 on TBS.
BOWL & SPONSOR: Cotton Bowl -- Dallas
TERMS OF DEAL: Mobil exercised a clause in its contract to drop
its title sponsorship. The bowl is currently looking for a title
sponsor. Talks have been reported with Dr Pepper and Southwest
Airlines.
TEAMS & PAYOUT: The host team is the new Big 12's runner-
up vs. either the Pac 10's runner-up or the WAC champion. Each
team is guaranteed $2.5M each.
SCHEDULE: January 1 on CBS.
BOWL & SPONSOR: CompUSA Florida Citrus Bowl -- Orlando
TERMS OF DEAL: Both CompUSA and the FL Citrus Commission re-
signed for the next three years. The Citrus Commission, the
bowl's title sponsor since '83, pays $500,000 a year. CompUSA, a
title sponsor since '94, pays a total of $1.5M to the bowl and
ABC.
TEAMS & PAYOUT: The Big 10 runner-up vs. the SEC runner-up.
Each team is guaranteed $2.5M.
SCHEDULE: January 1 on ABC.
BOWL & SPONSOR: Builder's Square Alamo Bowl -- San Antonio
TERMS OF DEAL: Builder's Square, sponsor since '93, has a deal
through '96 including a 2-year option to renew.
TEAMS & PAYOUT: The 4th picks from Big 12 and Big 10. Each
team is guaranteed $1M.
SCHEDULE: December 28 on ESPN.
BOWL & SPONSOR: St. Jude Liberty Bowl -- Memphis
TERMS OF DEAL: St. Jude Hospital does not pay for sponsorship.
The bowl is currently shopping for a corporate title sponsor.
TEAMS & PAYOUT: The first pick from the newly formed
Conference USA vs. an at-large team. Each team is guaranteed
$750,000.
SCHEDULE: December 30 on ESPN.
BOWL & SPONSOR: Plymouth Holiday Bowl -- San Diego
TERMS OF DEAL: Plymouth just signed a 3-year deal replacing
Thrifty Car Rental, the sponsor from '91-94. Sea World held title
sponsorship from '86-90.
TEAMS & PAYOUT: Either the WAC Champ or Pac 10 runner-up vs. the
third pick from the Big 12. The bowl hopes to guarantee each
team $1.7M.
SCHEDULE: December 29 on ESPN.
BOWL & SPONSOR: Gator Bowl
TERMS OF DEAL: Outback Steakhouse recently moved their
sponsorship dollars to the former Hall of Fame Bowl. Gator
officials said a new title sponsor has been found and will be
announced within the next 10 days.
TEAMS & PAYOUT: The bowl has the second picks from the ACC and
Big East. The payout figure will be released when the bowl
releases information on the new title sponsor.
SCHEDULE: Officials hope to have the game on January 1 on a
network to be announced next week.
BOWL & SPONSOR: Sun Bowl
TERMS OF DEAL: John Hancock was title sponsor from '86-93.
There has been no sponsor since. They are currently shopping for
one.
TEAMS & PAYOUT: The third pick from the Pac 10 vs. fifth pick
from the Big 10. Each team is guaranteed $1.1M.
SCHEDULE: December 29 on CBS.
BOWL & SPONSOR: Freedom Bowl -- Anaheim
TERMS OF DEAL: While the bowl has never had a title sponsor, it
is currently shopping for one. The bowl may also completely
change its name as to identify itself more with Southern
California.
TEAMS & PAYOUT: Either the 2nd or 3rd pick from the WAC vs. an
at-large team. Each is guaranteed $750,000.
SCHEDULE: December 28. The bowl is in negotiations with Raycom
and two other broadcast entities.
BOWL & SPONSOR: Weiser Lock Copper Bowl -- Tucson
TERMS OF DEAL: Weiser Lock pays approximately $500,000 per year.
The contract ends with this year's game. Domino's Pizza title
sponsored the game from '90-91.
TEAMS & PAYOUT: The second pick from the WAC vs. the fifth pick
from the Big 12. Each team guaranteed $750,000.
SCHEDULE: December 27 on ESPN.
BOWL & SPONSOR: Poulan Weed Eater Independence Bowl --
Shreveport, LA.
TERMS OF DEAL: Poulan has signed one-year contracts to title
sponsor the game since '90. They pay the bowl about $250,000 and
ESPN about $400-450,000.
TEAMS & PAYOUT: At-large teams; guarantee is $750,000.
SCHEDULE: December 29 on ESPN.
BOWL & SPONSOR: Jeep Eagle Aloha Bowl -- Honolulu
TERMS OF DEAL: The current contract runs through '96 with an
option for two more years.
TEAMS & PAYOUT: One Big 12 pick vs. an at-large. Each team
is guaranteed $800,000.
SCHEDULE: December 25 on ABC.
