Major Reshuffling Of Conferences' Bowl Deals Could Begin In 2010

There could be a "major reshuffling of several conferences' bowl arrangements beginning with the 2010 season," according to Stewart Mandel of SI.com. Sources indicated that the Gator Bowl and Big Ten are "discussing an agreement that would send that conference's No. 4 or 5 team to Jacksonville for the next four years." The Big Ten would replace the joint Big East-Big 12 affiliation to play against the ACC's No. 3 team. The Gator Bowl-Big Ten partnership is "dependent on the bowl extending its title sponsorship with Konica Minolta and reaching a deal that would replace current television partner CBS with ESPN, neither of which have been finalized." A Big Ten affiliation with the Gator Bowl "would replace the Alamo Bowl, which has hosted a Big Ten team every year since 1995." Sources indicated that the Gator Bowl and Insight Bowl -- which "previously sat sixth in the Big Ten's pecking order -- would alternate between the league's No. 4 and 5 selections." The conference will continue to send its No. 2 and No. 3 teams to the Capital One Bowl and Outback Bowl, respectively. Sources said that should the Big Ten land the Gator Bowl slot, the Big East is "prepared to announce a deal that would send its No. 2 team to the Champs Sports Bowl," which previously hosted the Big Ten's No. 4 or 5 team. Notre Dame "would be included in the Big East's arrangement, which could be announced by early next week." Mandel noted "more shuffling is expected over the next couple of months," although one source said that the SEC's bowl lineup is "expected to remain relatively unchanged." Most conferences' bowl partnerships are currently in the last year of a four-year cycle that "coincided with the most recent BCS contract."  (SI.com, 8/13).

BIG TEN, BIG DEALINGS: In Iowa, Scott Dochterman reported the Gator Bowl is offering the Big Ten $3M a year and would be "basically a swap of the Alamo Bowl for the Gator Bowl." The Gator Bowl currently airs on CBS, but "could move to the ESPN family of networks, depending on how the exclusivity arrangement with the Capital One Bowl plays out." If it "falls apart, look for the Big East to hook up again with the Gator Bowl" (GAZETTEONLINE.com, 8/13). ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg noted the Big Ten "likely won't renew its agreement with the Champs Sports Bowl and is looking for a spot for its No. 6 team." The Texas Bowl is a "good possibility." Sources said that the Big Ten "will renew its contract with the Motor City Bowl" (ESPN.com, 8/13).

HOLIDAY IN THE SUN: In San Diego, Brent Schrotenboer notes the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, which previously hosted Pac-10 No. 2 vs. Big 12 No. 3, is "looking at hosting" Pac-10 No. 3 vs. Big 12 No. 5 beginning in '10. Holiday Bowl Exec Dir Bruce Binkowski: "It's disappointing. But that's the way it is right now in college football. Money is very important. If some bowls are willing to pay large sums of money for a matchup, we have to make a decision if we want to get into that game." The Holiday Bowl "decided against increasing its guaranteed payouts to teams" from $2.35M to over $3M, while the Alamo Bowl offered $3M to Pac-10 No. 2 and Big 12 No. 3. To outbid the Alamo Bowl, Binkowski said that he "would have had to increase the average ticket price from $60 to about $100." Binkowski: "We just don't feel that raising ticket prices in this economy and passing that on to our very loyal ticket holders is a prudent business decision." Meanwhile, Schrotenboer notes Pacific Life is in its final year as title sponsor of the Holiday Bowl and "isn't close to extending the deal" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 8/14).