A host of articles today bemoaned the lack of interest in the non-BCS bowls this past weekend, and the toll they will take in the wake of exposure for many of the programs. However Yahoo Sports had a great two part series this past week on the cost/benefit for the schools going to non-BCS bowls, and where all the money actually goes.Josh Peter's piece had . list of the positives and negatives, or necessary evils, that growing progams must endure on the way up the college football ladder. Once again “the economy” factors into the figure of lack of innovative promotion, creative ticket sales or brand awareness that is quickly becomeing the rule in college football. The amazing thing is that it seems like the lesser bowls are lacking in their own attempt to give schools an ROI on their investment of travel and brand awareness as well. Now could it result in schools at some point doing a cost/benefit analysis and turning down bowls, like some have done with the postseason NIT in hoops, if the cost on the bottom line outweighs the benefi.? Perhaps. But the lack of creative promotion and effort to get the non-BCS bowl.exposure when there is a lack of college football going on for fans is both alarming and an opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to capture that market, even incrementally. Until the BCS system evolves into a championship series the non-BCS Bowls will remain in flux, and there is no reason why creativity cannot find its way back into the promotion of the games as way to both drive awareness and brand building for all involved.
Some other good reads…George Solomon's Washington Post column on Sammy Baugh Sunday was a great read on the Hall of Famer…the Boston Globe has a goot piece on President-elect Obama's latest appointee, former Harved hoopster Arne Duncan…and the Chicago Tribune had a good read last week on the Blackhawks trip to support their GM Dale Tallon at his father's funeral…
