The Independence Bowl and new title sponsor Duck Commander are "still working off a letter of intent, created in February," despite the South Carolina-Miami game taking place on Saturday in this year's contest, according to Roy Lang III of the SHREVEPORT TIMES. Independence Bowl execs "entered into a unique agreement" with Duck Commander in what is "scheduled to create a six-year deal." However, bowl Chair Paul Pratt "would like to make sure the deal works for both sides." Pratt: "I would have liked to talk with Willie (Robertson) man to man to complete this arrangement. We have to see if this is a good fit. It might not be. We have bills to pay. I don't want to be here when we don't have a bowl. I'd like to sit down and say, 'What worked for you guys? Let's see if we can up the ante and get more dollars from you and your partners.'" Pratt added, "The agreement is still fluid, that's why we have to go back and hammer this out. There are terms must be met. We need to get a real contract." Lang notes Saturday's official attendance was 38,242, "but driving rains, plummeting temperatures and a nearby tornado warning didn't urge area residents to flood Independence Stadium." The attendance figure ranks "just shy of the average for the past five years, but is far short of the numbers the bowl has regularly produced with an SEC team." Saturday also saw the debut of the stadium's "impressive new video board, ribbon board and sound system." The Independence Bowl "took out a loan for more than" $1M and the city of Shreveport "will contribute $100,000 a year for five years" (SHREVEPORT TIMES, 12/29).
