Orlando Organization Seeking To Launch Bowl For The Cure
A group of business leaders has created the Orlando Sports Commission (OSC) to "launch Bowl for the Cure, a new bowl game to be played in December at Bright House Networks Stadium," according to Iliana Limon of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. The game, "which still needs agreements with two Division I-A conferences and NCAA certification, would benefit the Central Florida affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the American Cancer Society." In order to earn NCAA certification, a proposed bowl committee "must demonstrate strong local support and submit a line of credit for $2[M] to cover team payouts," and the OSC is "actively seeking donors" at www.orlandosportsfoundation.com. OSC Exec Committee member John Rhodes said that if the bowl game is not approved this year, donations "will roll over to the group's effort to launch the bowl in 2010." The OSC is "negotiating with Conference USA and several other conferences to send teams to the game." But Florida Citrus Sports Exec Dir Steve Hogan said that he "isn't sure whether Orlando can financially support three bowl games," as the city already plays host to the Capital One Bowl and the Champs Sports Bowl. Limon noted another problem facing a new Orlando bowl "would be the perception that Division I-A football already has too many bowls (34 so far)" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 1/14).
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Bright House Network Stadium To Host Bowl
For The Cure Pending Bowl Certification |
TOO MANY BOWLS? In Orlando, Alan Schmadtke wrote among the questions related to the Bowl for the Cure is "does college football really need another bowl game?" At the end of the '08 college football season, "only four bowl-eligible teams sat home: San Jose State, Bowling Green, Arkansas State and Louisiana-Lafayette." Schmadtke noted the NCAA "will certify the 2009 bowl games in late spring, and the Orlando Sports Foundation will have to have some guaranteed funding (for guaranteed per-team payouts) before it has a prayer of getting certified." Ensuring the bowl has a TV partner is "less of a concern for the NCAA than it is for the bowl," but if the Bowl for the Cure "doesn't find a TV partner, it won't be able to get off the ground anyway" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 1/14). Meanwhile, the ORLANDO SENTINEL's Limon wrote the Orlando Sports Foundation "has a great marketing strategy," as it is "going to be awful hard to say no to the Bowl for a Cure." Limon: "If you don't support the bowl, does that mean you don't really care about fighting breast cancer?" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 1/14).
ANOTHER HILL TO CLIMB: Incoming U.S. House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform Chair Edolphus Towns (D-NY) said that he "will convene a hearing and invite those connected to college football in hopes of doing away with" the BCS. USA TODAY's A.J. Perez notes Towns is "one of a handful of elected officials who have expressed desire for a playoff in recent weeks, a list that includes President-elect Barack Obama." Towns said of Obama, "I look forward to working with him and his people. He's indicated he has an interest in it." Meanwhile, former U.S. Rep Dick Gephardt (D-MO) said of the BCS, "I think this is something that colleges will have to figure out together. I'm not sure this is what the public wants Congress to be spending their time on" (USA TODAY, 1/15).
STAYING PUT FOR NOW: Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl Exec Dir Tom Starr yesterday said that the game "will remain at TCU's Amon Carter Stadium." Starr said of reports the bowl could move to Dallas, "I have no idea where that came from. There's nothing to it. There's no plans." In Ft. Worth, Sandra Baker notes TCU "at some point plans to remodel its football stadium." As a result, Starr said that he has spoken with Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage, Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones and Southern Methodist Univ. officials "about using their facilities as a backup if necessary." Starr added he also has "talked to Dallas people about the Cotton Bowl" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 1/15).
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