Big Time Bowl Money
Dear editor:
Very interesting article and chart in Newsweek Magazine last week on the subject of how major bowl money is spent by the larger universities who earn the right to play in these games. (I say “major bowls” because there are so many other useless advertising bowls today.) Of course we have always heard that the purpose of the post season games is big bucks that not only help to pay for football operations but also pay for non-profit sports such as track, volleyball and women’s sports, and once in a while to help the university. Well, according to this story it isn’t quite true. As an example, take Alabama’s financial take from last year’s national championship game. And whether it is this game or one for LSU, Georgia, Florida or Auburn, the story is the same.
Alabama received $2,430,400 with the rest of its share going to the Southeastern Conference ($16,069,600). They spent the following on this game:
Transportation: for team and staff for eight days (371 people) $656,057; for band and cheerleaders for three days (403 people) $397,641; for “official party” for three days (83 people). Total $1,219,456.
Meals and Lodging: team and staff $701,847; band and cheerleaders $144,269; official party $193,197. Total $1,219,103.
Other: Performance bonuses $1,256,916 (of course not for the players); commemorative gifts for players and coaches $132,590; tickets $329,250; entertainment (again not the players) $126,784; administrative $165,605; equipment and supplies (thought they brought that with them) $21,794; promotion $4,134. Total: $2,037,073.
That brings a grand total of “expenses” to $4,296,632, or a loss of $1,866,232. They spent almost double their allowance. Great example for college students.
I know that Alabama in turn received their “split” of the balance of some of the money as did all schools in the conference. But boy they sure threw it around in “expenses.” (As they all do)
There are some amazing numbers of people in this report, like team and staff of 371 people (for a football game?), 403 people for band and cheerleaders (including who else?) and an official party of 83. I’m no fool and know what college football has become, but this just shows the excess of the financial part of the game. Universities are screaming for money so they don’t have to cut back on staff and operations, but throw it around like confetti for football. Where are our sensibilities?
Very interesting article and chart in Newsweek Magazine last week on the subject of how major bowl money is spent by the larger universities who earn the right to play in these games. (I say “major bowls” because there are so many other useless advertising bowls today.) Of course we have always heard that the purpose of the post season games is big bucks that not only help to pay for football operations but also pay for non-profit sports such as track, volleyball and women’s sports, and once in a while to help the university. Well, according to this story it isn’t quite true. As an example, take Alabama’s financial take from last year’s national championship game. And whether it is this game or one for LSU, Georgia, Florida or Auburn, the story is the same.
Alabama received $2,430,400 with the rest of its share going to the Southeastern Conference ($16,069,600). They spent the following on this game:
Transportation: for team and staff for eight days (371 people) $656,057; for band and cheerleaders for three days (403 people) $397,641; for “official party” for three days (83 people). Total $1,219,456.
Meals and Lodging: team and staff $701,847; band and cheerleaders $144,269; official party $193,197. Total $1,219,103.
Other: Performance bonuses $1,256,916 (of course not for the players); commemorative gifts for players and coaches $132,590; tickets $329,250; entertainment (again not the players) $126,784; administrative $165,605; equipment and supplies (thought they brought that with them) $21,794; promotion $4,134. Total: $2,037,073.
That brings a grand total of “expenses” to $4,296,632, or a loss of $1,866,232. They spent almost double their allowance. Great example for college students.
I know that Alabama in turn received their “split” of the balance of some of the money as did all schools in the conference. But boy they sure threw it around in “expenses.” (As they all do)
There are some amazing numbers of people in this report, like team and staff of 371 people (for a football game?), 403 people for band and cheerleaders (including who else?) and an official party of 83. I’m no fool and know what college football has become, but this just shows the excess of the financial part of the game. Universities are screaming for money so they don’t have to cut back on staff and operations, but throw it around like confetti for football. Where are our sensibilities?
posted by Sam Schoolsky | 2:38 PM
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