Verlander going home to Gator Bowl
Per Jax Daily Record:
By David Chapman, Staff Writer
Alan Verlander says he is coming home.
(http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/storyimages/38829.JPG)
The City's sports and entertainment director submitted his resignation Tuesday and was named the chief operating officer of the events division of Gator Bowl Sports on Wednesday. The organization is a wholly owned subsidiary of the former Gator Bowl Association, a place he interned at before serving as marketing director in the mid-'90s.
"This is a unique opportunity to come home," he said.
The expanded and rebranded Gator Bowl Sports has a mission of attracting a multitude of sports and other events to Jacksonville. Verlander's job is to be the point man in charge of making the city that destination.
"Personally, I think it fits my skill set really well," Verlander said. "It puts me back in a private nature, which is one of my strengths."
He served in the City capacity since April 2012 and before that was Jacksonville University's athletic director for several years. He begins his new job Jan. 2.
Verlander said he will spend the first three months creating a strategic plan to present to the Gator Bowl Sports' board and its president, Rick Catlett, before the start of the organization's April 1 fiscal year.
At that time, a budget and staffing needs also will be established, Catlett said.
Verlander said he'll also spend those months talking to current Gator Bowl Sports partners and discussing possibilities with companies he has relationships with but currently aren't on board.
The organization has 88 sponsorship partners that can it can draw from in its recruiting efforts.
Catlett said people should not expect the events Jacksonville will attract to be just football, baseball and basketball.
"I think there is absolutely a segment of business community that doesn't care one flip about football, but they care about lacrosse, they care about soccer," he said.
But it's football that could make the biggest news the soonest. Catlett said Wednesday that the organization, likely in January, will make an announcement on a major college football neutral-site game to be played in Jacksonville.
how is staying in Jacksonville "coming home"? Did he grow up in the Gator Bowl?
GBA needs him desperately. For the 2nd year in a row they have been stuck with a dud of a game. Georgia fans will easily outnumber Nebraska fans, and I heard last night that Nebraska has cancelled the charter for fans, due to a lack of interest.
QuoteLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Low demand has led to the cancellation of a charter flight that had been lined up to take Nebraska fans to Jacksonville, Fla., for the Gator Bowl.
The Lincoln Journal Star reports that Pennsylvania-based Collegiate Athletics canceled the Southwest Airlines 137-seat charter that was to fly travelers who booked through Executive Travel of Lincoln, AAA Nebraska and Allied Tour & Travel of Norfolk.
Executive Travel's Steve Glenn said it's the first time in 27 years that he's had a charter to a bowl game cancelled.
Quotehow is staying in Jacksonville "coming home"? Did he grow up in the Gator Bowl?
I thought the same thing, then I read the paragraph up and he was the marketing director in the 90s and an intern before that.
On paper, it looks like an attractive matchup. Two of the bigger programs in the country. But Nebraska ended the year on a down note. Their coach has been fighting with ex-players and fans. He's lucky he did not get fired. They are playing the same team they played in a bowl game last year in Georgia. And Georgia's best player is out for the season with a torn ACL.
From what I read the game's options were Nebraska or Minnesota. I know Minnesota is not a power program but I would think their fans would at least travel. I doubt they've ever even played in one of the Florida bowls.
But a bigger problem is that the Gator has sunk to a third or fourth tier bowl. It was not that long ago that it was clearly in the second tier, along with the Citrus and Holiday bowl. I remember going in the 90's and seeing Donovan McNabb, Marvin Harrison and Syracuse play Clemson. I remember it was Notre Dame/Miami one year. Now it's picking Big 10 teams after something called the Buffalo Wild Wing Bowl. Last year we had Mississippi State/Northwestern. Woof.
QuoteBut a bigger problem is that the Gator has sunk to a third or fourth tier bowl. It was not that long ago that it was clearly in the second tier, along with the Citrus and Holiday bowl. I remember going in the 90's and seeing Donovan McNabb, Marvin Harrison and Syracuse play Clemson. I remember it was Notre Dame/Miami one year. Now it's picking Big 10 teams after something called the Buffalo Wild Wing Bowl. Last year we had Mississippi State/Northwestern. Woof.
I agree, the third or fourth tier is a real problem for the Gator. The last sellout was with FSU in 2010. I remember being part of the GBA in 2006 and having a fan come up to me and show me an inch depth of tickets he could not give away for the Virginia-Louisville clash. Since 2001, the Gator Bowl has not had a top 10 team. That shows you how far the game has fallen, essentially a matchup of 8-4 teams. Teams not good enough to get to their conference championships, but who had a nice season.
Rick Catlett works hard for the Gator Bowl Association, but under his leadership, our presence as a major bowl game has really gone down the toilet. He let Atlanta and the old "Peach Bowl", the Capital One (in Orlando of all places) and the Outback Bowl (old Hall of Fame Bowl) essentially pick ahead of this game. Nice guy, but if he is allowed to remain (and it would appear that Verlander is being groomed as his replacement) it would not be good for this association or our great city.
^Minnesota had a decent year but their football team doesn't draw particularly well and the fans aren't known for traveling well. Nebraska bumped them in the Big 10 standings anyway. They had initially hoped to grab Michigan (who was behind both of them, but they draw very, very well - and they didn't just play Georgia last year), but they were grabbed up. Nebraska's the obvious choice out of what was left.
The Gator Bowl was a higher prize back before the BCS jacked up college football. They've actually been very good at rolling with the punches that have come since then. They did well for years with the #2 ACC and Big East players. Unfortunately, that became a less and less feasible option as the conferences declined, and they couldn't count on just picking FSU every year (no insult intended to ACC or Big East fans). They then jumped over to the current SEC/Big 10 deal, with ACC back in the mix now; they've had to start at the bottom of the ladder but they're showing their creativity in moving back up. Hiring Verlander is a definite sign that they know what needs doing.
I am excited about the other games and events they say they will be bringing. Its not just all college football anymore.
I've said it before, but I don't believe the Gator Bowl will ever be able to move up in the team selection order until it is willing to sell the "Gator" name to a corporate sponsor. That means going from the "TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl" to simply the "TaxSlayer.com Bowl". It's how the higher tier bowls (non-BCS of course) are able to afford the higher team payouts that allow them first dibs at SEC & B1G teams. I'm actually surprised the Cotton Bowl has kept its name as long as it has, but I suppose there's money in the Metroplex that simply doesn't exist here.
For example...
Tangerine Bowl = Florida Citrus Bowl = Capital One Florida Citrus Bowl = Capital One Bowl
Hall of Fame Bowl = Outback Bowl
Peach Bowl = Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl = Chick-Fil-A Bowl.
Quote from: Traveller on December 13, 2013, 10:06:05 AM
I've said it before, but I don't believe the Gator Bowl will ever be able to move up in the team selection order until it is willing to sell the "Gator" name to a corporate sponsor. That means going from the "TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl" to simply the "TaxSlayer.com Bowl". It's how the higher tier bowls (non-BCS of course) are able to afford the higher team payouts that allow them first dibs at SEC & B1G teams. I'm actually surprised the Cotton Bowl has kept its name as long as it has, but I suppose there's money in the Metroplex that simply doesn't exist here.
For example...
Tangerine Bowl = Florida Citrus Bowl = Capital One Florida Citrus Bowl = Capital One Bowl
Hall of Fame Bowl = Outback Bowl
Peach Bowl = Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl = Chick-Fil-A Bowl.
That has been the biggest issue. Another reason why the Buffalo Wild Wing Bowl is allowed to pick ahead of the Gator. I know they jumped at the SEC/Big Ten tie-in. But with each conference getting two BCS games, they are stuck with the 7th SEC team and the 6th Big Ten team. So you are either getting a big program on a down year (like this year) or a small program on an up year (like last year). Neither brings much excitement.
Quote from: Traveller on December 13, 2013, 10:06:05 AM
I've said it before, but I don't believe the Gator Bowl will ever be able to move up in the team selection order until it is willing to sell the "Gator" name to a corporate sponsor. That means going from the "TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl" to simply the "TaxSlayer.com Bowl".
you mean like the Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and Cotton Bowl have done?
Quote from: tufsu1 on December 13, 2013, 10:48:30 AMyou mean like the Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and Cotton Bowl have done?
I alluded to each of these in my post. The BCS bowls get broadcast money that no other bowl comes close to. Like tens of millions more.
And I did express surprise that the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic has been able to keep the "Cotton" name while maintaining its selection order. I did neglect to mention how they moved the game from New Year's Day to avoid competition from other bowls. I have heard speculation of the Gator moving to December 30th or 31st after the playoff system is implemented for similar reasons.
Quote from: pierre on December 13, 2013, 10:45:51 AM
Quote from: Traveller on December 13, 2013, 10:06:05 AM
I've said it before, but I don't believe the Gator Bowl will ever be able to move up in the team selection order until it is willing to sell the "Gator" name to a corporate sponsor. That means going from the "TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl" to simply the "TaxSlayer.com Bowl". It's how the higher tier bowls (non-BCS of course) are able to afford the higher team payouts that allow them first dibs at SEC & B1G teams. I'm actually surprised the Cotton Bowl has kept its name as long as it has, but I suppose there's money in the Metroplex that simply doesn't exist here.
For example...
Tangerine Bowl = Florida Citrus Bowl = Capital One Florida Citrus Bowl = Capital One Bowl
Hall of Fame Bowl = Outback Bowl
Peach Bowl = Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl = Chick-Fil-A Bowl.
That has been the biggest issue. Another reason why the Buffalo Wild Wing Bowl is allowed to pick ahead of the Gator. I know they jumped at the SEC/Big Ten tie-in. But with each conference getting two BCS games, they are stuck with the 7th SEC team and the 6th Big Ten team. So you are either getting a big program on a down year (like this year) or a small program on an up year (like last year). Neither brings much excitement.
If they'd stuck with the old deal there's be even less excitement, as the Big East doesn't even exist anymore. The jump was clearly necessary, but obviously it required starting at the bottom rung. The key will be moving up, as the Citrus Bowl did; if they're able to pull that off the bowl will be in a strong position again.
Quote from: Tacachale on December 13, 2013, 11:05:08 AM
Quote from: pierre on December 13, 2013, 10:45:51 AM
Quote from: Traveller on December 13, 2013, 10:06:05 AM
I've said it before, but I don't believe the Gator Bowl will ever be able to move up in the team selection order until it is willing to sell the "Gator" name to a corporate sponsor. That means going from the "TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl" to simply the "TaxSlayer.com Bowl". It's how the higher tier bowls (non-BCS of course) are able to afford the higher team payouts that allow them first dibs at SEC & B1G teams. I'm actually surprised the Cotton Bowl has kept its name as long as it has, but I suppose there's money in the Metroplex that simply doesn't exist here.
For example...
Tangerine Bowl = Florida Citrus Bowl = Capital One Florida Citrus Bowl = Capital One Bowl
Hall of Fame Bowl = Outback Bowl
Peach Bowl = Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl = Chick-Fil-A Bowl.
That has been the biggest issue. Another reason why the Buffalo Wild Wing Bowl is allowed to pick ahead of the Gator. I know they jumped at the SEC/Big Ten tie-in. But with each conference getting two BCS games, they are stuck with the 7th SEC team and the 6th Big Ten team. So you are either getting a big program on a down year (like this year) or a small program on an up year (like last year). Neither brings much excitement.
If they'd stuck with the old deal there's be even less excitement, as the Big East doesn't even exist anymore. The jump was clearly necessary, but obviously it required starting at the bottom rung. The key will be moving up, as the Citrus Bowl did; if they're able to pull that off the bowl will be in a strong position again.
I know. Next year the Gator Bowl will have an ACC tie-in again as they will rotate Big Ten/ACC with the Music City Bowl. The new ACC will now include Louisville and Notre Dame (non member school but will have their bowl tie-in). Could provide better matchups but to points to make. It shows the game is now on par with the likes of the Music City Bowl. And the Gator Bowl is behind the Russell Athletic Bowl in the pecking order for the ACC. Hopefully Verlander can give the game the shot in the arm it desperately needs.
Just to clarify
Verlander's primary focus will be on non-Gator Bowl events.. like college basketball tournaments, neutral site college football games (Notre Dame and Navy will finally be coming here the weekend before the Florida-Georgia game in 2015 or 2016-announcement is forthcoming, with another possible Florida State game not far behind), college baseball tournaments, possibly SEC women's basketball tournament, pro sports exhibition games and even things like large youth baseball/lacrosse/softball tournaments, etc.
Not having to spend so much time accomodating public records requests for every piece of scratch paper you ever threw away will probably allow him to be much more productive in bringing these types of things to the city.
^^agree 100% here. Let him really focus on the other events. The Gator Bowl is what it is. Who knows if it ever will be anything more again. Personally I think when the bowls went to the conference ties ins that ruined them. Especially for the second tier bowls. Just limits your options way too much. and allows for repeat games and teams coming back too,often which eliminates interest. Let them each come up with their best effort money wise each year and go for the games they really want. I understand the reasoning behind conference tie ins but it all gets back to doing what is easiest and less risky. The new American way I guess. Perhaps if we went back to it there would be fewer bowls which would be a good thing.
Quote from: fieldafm on December 13, 2013, 12:36:30 PM
Just to clarify
Verlander's primary focus will be on non-Gator Bowl events.. like college basketball tournaments, neutral site college football games (Notre Dame and Navy will finally be coming here the weekend before the Florida-Georgia game in 2015 or 2016-announcement is forthcoming, with another possible Florida State game not far behind), college baseball tournaments, possibly SEC women's basketball tournament, pro sports exhibition games and even things like large youth baseball/lacrosse/softball tournaments, etc.
Not having to spend so much time accomodating public records requests for every piece of scratch paper you ever threw away will probably allow him to be much more productive in bringing these types of things to the city.
SO basically he has the same job, but for a non-profit.
Pretty much.
Will the city be filling his old position?
Supposedly yes. I think Joel Lamp will be acting in Verlander's old position in the interim.
QuoteSO basically he has the same job, but for a non-profit.
they are grooming him for Catlett's job as he loses his focus on working with the major conferences. Catlett is done. Put a fork in him. Give Verlander a year, then look for him to take the reigns, hopefully Catlett will not have relegated us to the level of the Armed Forces Bowl Game by then. Ugh!
Quote from: mtraininjax on December 14, 2013, 06:22:42 PM
QuoteSO basically he has the same job, but for a non-profit.
they are grooming him for Catlett's job as he loses his focus on working with the major conferences. Catlett is done. Put a fork in him. Give Verlander a year, then look for him to take the reigns, hopefully Catlett will not have relegated us to the level of the Armed Forces Bowl Game by then. Ugh!
I remember when the BCS started, Carlett went after being part of the rotation. There was even talk of it being the 5th BCS bowl. Once that did not happen, the Gator Bowl definitely got shuffled back to the middle-lower range of bowls. Hopefully Verlander can inject some life into it.
keep in mind that Jacksonville has applied to host the National Championship game in 2016 or 2017...the 2015 game will be held in Jerry's palace.
The game is pretty much a disappointment, if you look at the views of the stands, yes it is raining, but almost no one in the 2nd deck and pretty sparse in the lower bowl. Only the sections with the bands seem to be great camera fodder.
I think the Jags, even at 4-12 pulled more fans per game than what we have here. Even with UGA as a team, not even they can draw enough fans. Disappointing!
Bowl games are nothing but exhibition games the fleece the participating school.
neither UFA or Nebraska fans were excited about this game....for 3 reasons
1. Each had a disappointing season
2. They played each other last year in a bowl game
3. Each school has been to Jax recently
Fact is that aligning with the SEC and Big 10 means that the Gator Bowl basically gets the 5th or 6th place team in each league. If they can't get a major sponsor and increase the payout significantly, this game will be relegated to 4th tier
Quoteneither UFA or Nebraska fans were excited about this game....for 3 reasons
1. Each had a disappointing season
2. They played each other last year in a bowl game
3. Each school has been to Jax recently
Fact is that aligning with the SEC and Big 10 means that the Gator Bowl basically gets the 5th or 6th place team in each league. If they can't get a major sponsor and increase the payout significantly, this game will be relegated to 4th tier
Believe me, I understand, I was on the GBA for a few years, I was there when then GBA president at the time picked Virginia and Texas Tech, and people hurled obscenities at me in the parking lot because they had stacks of tickets they could not even give away. The match-ups have really stunk for the last 10 years. I lay the whole mess at the top of the leadership of the Gator Bowl. They have been pushed out of the way for the likes of other cities and bowl games. We are soon to be relegated to the likes of the Music City Bowl with mediocre teams. Sad fall from grace from what was a premier bowl game.
I hope Verlander can restore the shine.
Quote from: mtraininjax on January 01, 2014, 01:05:08 PM
I think the Jags, even at 4-12 pulled more fans per game than what we have here. Even with UGA as a team, not even they can draw enough fans. Disappointing!
The Jags got easily 10k more at games than the Gator Bowl. What a joke. I was not expecting a big crowd but I was stunned at how empty it was.
Quote from: mtraininjax on January 02, 2014, 10:15:46 AM
We are soon to be relegated to the likes of the Music City Bowl with mediocre teams. Sad fall from grace from what was a premier bowl game.
Aren't we already?
Quote from: pierre on January 02, 2014, 11:47:06 AM
Quote from: mtraininjax on January 02, 2014, 10:15:46 AM
We are soon to be relegated to the likes of the Music City Bowl with mediocre teams. Sad fall from grace from what was a premier bowl game.
Aren't we already?
The Gator Bowl is definitely a 3rd or 4th string bowl, thats hard to believe. I remember when it was a major bowl just behind the big 4 (rose, sugar, cotton, orange). Things change, but I was shocked to see the what everbank looked like at this game, not much point in having it if they can't do better. They are going to have to greatly increase the payout and get higher ranked teams, be more selective on who they bring in, otherwise it will continue to slip.
'
This will change with the playoff, but right now...
Tier 1 are the BCS bowls (Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, Orange)
Tier 2 includes Cotton, Chick-Fil-A, Outback, and Capital One Bowls
The Gator Bowl is at the top of the 3rd tier, but if they aren't careful, they will drop below the Belk Bowl, Music City Bowl, Liberty Bowl, etc.
Quote from: pierre on December 13, 2013, 09:03:09 AM
But a bigger problem is that the Gator has sunk to a third or fourth tier bowl. It was not that long ago that it was clearly in the second tier, along with the Citrus and Holiday bowl.
Eh, the Holiday Bowl with two unranked teams (Texas Tech vs Arizona State) being in a 'higher tier' than the Gator Bowl? I'm not gonna even bring up those other two Florida Bowls (Citrus, and Outback) that had less fans show up than the Gator Bowl...
Bottomline, the interest for most bowl games has vastly waned, and in an overwhelming majority, these games will continue to underachieve and flop. They need to incorporate a future expanded playoff system with these bowls. Hell, even some 'first tier' status bowls have been floundering far for the glory days. Talk about something that's very diluted, with every whistlestop having their own 'bowl'. With this internet generation, most people now are like 'who cares' outside of the National Championship in most cases.
^ I agree with you about the Holiday Bowl...but...
the Capital One (hasn't been Citrus in over 10 years) Bowl had 56,600 fans in a stadium that holds 65,000
the Outback Bowl had 51,000 fans in a stadium that holds 66,000
the Gator is listing 60,700 tickets distributed, but being there I can tell you that maybe 40,000 showed up
ticket prices for the Capital One and Outback are higher than the Gator...and payouts for both games are MUCH higher than the Gator Bowl
put it this way...SEC top team goes to BCS (Sugar), then Capital One, Outback, Cotton, Chick-Fil-A, and then Gator...and the Big 10 goes BCS (Rose), Capital One, Outback, Buffalo Wild Wings, and then Gator.
Quote from: tufsu1 on January 02, 2014, 10:43:31 PM
the Capital One (hasn't been Citrus in over 10 years) Bowl had 56,600 fans in a stadium that holds 65,000
the Outback Bowl had 51,000 fans in a stadium that holds 66,000
From what I heard, those attendance numbers are very generous with that Florida rainstorm; That would be like saying 60,000 came to the Gator Bowl. These bowl games are waning very rapidly, and college football needs to find a way to incorporate playoffs, sooner than later.
The game has gotten buried by being buried on ESPN2 on New Years Day. The SEC/Big Ten tie-in was supposed to help but all it's done is make it the 3rd best matchup on at the same time.
For the 90's and most of the 2000's, it was on NBC.
I did hear something interesting on the Frangie show. Assuming it's true, he said next year the Gator Bowl will be on January 2nd I believe, which is a Friday. At night and will be the only game on. Could help sales because I think alot of college fans (Not fans of either team) would rather stay home and watch the other games on than sit at Everbank Field.
Quote from: I-10east on January 02, 2014, 11:15:03 PM
Quote from: tufsu1 on January 02, 2014, 10:43:31 PM
the Capital One (hasn't been Citrus in over 10 years) Bowl had 56,600 fans in a stadium that holds 65,000
the Outback Bowl had 51,000 fans in a stadium that holds 66,000
From what I heard, those attendance numbers are very generous with that Florida rainstorm; That would be like saying 60,000 came to the Gator Bowl. These bowl games are waning very rapidly, and college football needs to find a way to incorporate playoffs, sooner than later.
when we left the Gator Bowl, I caught the end of the other 2 games on TV...while Tampa's stadium didn't look full, the Citrus Bowl in Orlando did.
and, in case you didn't know, the 4-team playoff system starts this year (2014).
Also I believe starting next year I read where outside of the playoff all the SEC schools will be lumped into a pool. The SEC will decide which team goes to which bowl. By lumping into a pool it is my understanding that the individual bowl payout will not be as important in the selection but the individual game match ups will be most important for generating attendance and excitement.
The following is what I was referring to from the Times-Union article:
With the conclusion of the game between Nebraska and Georgia, the Gator Bowl's four-year deal matching a Big Ten team against an SEC team comes to a close. Next year begins a six-year deal in which the Gator will match an SEC team (chosen by the conference) against a Big Ten team in three years and an ACC team in three years.
The Gator Bowl will join a six-bowl pool of games with SEC ties, with commissioner Mike Slive making the final decision after input from the bowls and schools. Payout will no longer be a criteria for bowl selection.
Now I am not sure how they will pull it off as sure seems those sponsors who provide the most money will sure want the bowl with their name on it having the best teams. So we shall see how it works out realistically.
Quotewith commissioner Mike Slive making the final decision after input from the bowls and schools.
Why not just give him the keys to the city while we are at it? He has the power to decide who goes where.
Bowl games should not be counted on to provide the economic prowess they once did and with tepid fans based on matchups, its a wonder if any of the games will ever be a sellout.
Or perhaps give it a try as obviously with all the comments regarding attendance issues the current set up is not working.
it should be easy. The top 4 get a playoff, then match 5 with 6, 7 with 8, and so on. This would be better since you won't have number 6 against unranked, and would have closer games that would be more interesting. I know that this would mean a possible match up with teams in the same conference.
QuoteOr perhaps give it a try as obviously with all the comments regarding attendance issues the current set up is not working.
Because giving absolute power to one person is the
right thing to do.
Quote from: tufsu1 on January 03, 2014, 08:12:33 AM
and, in case you didn't know, the 4-team playoff system starts this year (2014).
Yeah I know. That's why I was stressing further expanding the playoffs within college football's top ranked teams. The 4 team playoff is a good start, but two games is far from solving the many problems with these upper-tier bowls. I do understand that nothing is ever gonna be perfect, put 2014 will still be a guessing game to a certain extent.
Quote from: mtraininjax on January 03, 2014, 02:07:08 PM
QuoteOr perhaps give it a try as obviously with all the comments regarding attendance issues the current set up is not working.
Because giving absolute power to one person is the right thing to do.
And even you noted he would be making the decision with input from the bowl representatives, hardly absolute power. Carry on.
QuoteAnd even you noted he would be making the decision with input from the bowl representatives, hardly absolute power. Carry on.
That worked well for Tampa. They got LSU for a New Years Day bowl game, and Texas A&M was pushed to a NYE bowl game all because Slive lobbied for it. Yeah, in that case the bowl reps made a difference. All the bowl cities and organizations are at the mercy of the conferences. In particular, the Presidents of the conferences. They might as well be the heads of the networks during college bowl season, picking and choosing who goes where. Cities have lost the power.
I think the cities lost their power when they started selling their bowls to the sponsors.
Quote from: tufsu1 on January 02, 2014, 10:43:31 PM
^ I agree with you about the Holiday Bowl...but...
the Capital One (hasn't been Citrus in over 10 years) Bowl had 56,600 fans in a stadium that holds 65,000
the Outback Bowl had 51,000 fans in a stadium that holds 66,000
the Gator is listing 60,700 tickets distributed, but being there I can tell you that maybe 40,000 showed up
ticket prices for the Capital One and Outback are higher than the Gator...and payouts for both games are MUCH higher than the Gator Bowl
put it this way...SEC top team goes to BCS (Sugar), then Capital One, Outback, Cotton, Chick-Fil-A, and then Gator...and the Big 10 goes BCS (Rose), Capital One, Outback, Buffalo Wild Wings, and then Gator.
Check your facts...while Cap One payout is higher by ~1M, Outback is Lower by 1M. In fact Gator payout is a little higher than Cotton. Gator has the 3rd highest non-BCS payout, the new contract will be better for the Gator and having TaxSlayer.com sign on to sponsor for another 6 years will only help....
http://www.statisticbrain.com/college-bowl-game-payouts/
Quote from: dtgaff on January 06, 2014, 05:52:41 PM
Quote from: tufsu1 on January 02, 2014, 10:43:31 PM
^ I agree with you about the Holiday Bowl...but...
the Capital One (hasn't been Citrus in over 10 years) Bowl had 56,600 fans in a stadium that holds 65,000
the Outback Bowl had 51,000 fans in a stadium that holds 66,000
the Gator is listing 60,700 tickets distributed, but being there I can tell you that maybe 40,000 showed up
ticket prices for the Capital One and Outback are higher than the Gator...and payouts for both games are MUCH higher than the Gator Bowl
put it this way...SEC top team goes to BCS (Sugar), then Capital One, Outback, Cotton, Chick-Fil-A, and then Gator...and the Big 10 goes BCS (Rose), Capital One, Outback, Buffalo Wild Wings, and then Gator.
Check your facts...while Cap One payout is higher by ~1M, Outback is Lower by 1M. In fact Gator payout is a little higher than Cotton. Gator has the 3rd highest non-BCS payout, the new contract will be better for the Gator and having TaxSlayer.com sign on to sponsor for another 6 years will only help....
http://www.statisticbrain.com/college-bowl-game-payouts/
Yeah, people really need to check their facts. In addition to the payout being competitive *all* of those attendance figures are "tickets distributed", and the Gator Bowl beat both the Capital One and Outback Bowl and a lot of others.
For comparison, of the BCS bowls, the Fiesta Bowl attracted 65,172 (http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=340010239), the Orange Bowl had 72,080 (http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=340030194) and the Rose Bowl as usual blew them all out of the water with 95,173 (http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=340010127). Of the other 2nd-tier bowls, the Peach Bowl (sorry, the "Chick-fil-A Bowl") drew 67,946 (http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=333650245), the Cotton Bowl drew 72,690 (http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=340030142), and the Alamo Bowl drew 65,918 (http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=333640251). None of the others I know of (Holiday Bowl, Russel Athletic, Sun Bowl, etc) cracked 60k. They're not nearly so far behind as the doom and gloom crowd seems to believe.
As for the perceived decline of the Gator and similar bowls, you can blame that directly on the rise of the BCS and the conference ties, and more recently declining interest in bowl games. Still, the Gator Bowl has always been resilient. They made a strong showing with the old ACC-Big East tie-in with a high selection, but obviously they had to move away as those conferences declined (and the Big East collapsed). Now they're on with the SEC, Big 10 and ACC, though they've had to start lower in the totem pole. But the GBA clearly knows what it takes to be competitive and are taking the steps to get there.
Gator Bowl must have raised their payout this year
^More indication they're aware of what needs to be done and are doing it.
www.actionnewsjax.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoId=4872097&navCatId=20896
^^ sounds like we are putting all of our efforts to bringing the pee wee championship to Jax! I guess he is still working for Mayor Brown in taking Jax to the next level!!
^^^Yeah, the Pee-Wee Football mentions definitely rose an eyebrow. I'm hoping that is just a little hors d'oeuvre, and not the main course.