The Wiz of Odds is conducting a comprehensive study of bowl game expense reports. All of the data collected — expense reports for 56 teams and bowl surveys for 40 teams — are being posted on the site. Here is the latest installment. For an overview of the project, click here.
The Liberty Bowl, played in Memphis, Tenn., is registered as a nonprofit but run by a management company headed by Steve Ehrhart, the executive director of the bowl. The first game was played in 1959.
2010 participants: Georgia and Central Florida.
Georgia expenses: Fans were not enthused about making the trip to Memphis to watch a 6-6 team play in the Liberty. The Bulldogs sold only 3,244 tickets and had to absorb 6,756 at a cost of $337,800. Total claimed expenses: $1.44 million. Under other expenses, the school listed NCAA incidentials ($20,160), supplement and benefits ($204,296) and stadium suites ($27,000) for a total of $251,456. The school reported to the NCAA an expense allowance of only $90,400 from the Southeastern Conference. A Georgia official later told The Wiz of Odds that the allowance was $925,000.
Georgia did not complete a bowl survey. Download Georgia Expenses
Central Florida expenses: The school reported total expenses of $1.68 million. The biggest expense ($858,700 or 51 percent of total expenses) came from 16,277 absorbed tickets. No school in The Wiz of Odds’ study absorbed more tickets. UCF reported selling only 3,723 tickets. Page 3 of the pdf is a detailed breakdown of expenses that UCF mistakenly dated Feb. 21, 2010.
The Wiz of Odds did not receive a bowl survey from UCF. Download Central Florida Expenses
This doesn't seem to add up very well. UGa's sold and absorbed tickets add up to just 10,000 while UCF was evidently responsible for 20,000. What kind of agreement does CUSA have with the Liberty that obligates them to sell double the number of tix than the mighty SEC, which supposedly travels so well (and often does)?
Posted by: Jim | May 20, 2011 at 12:26 PM
Hi Jim,
What you write is true. I just talked with a C-USA official and will be posting the details on the site.
The Wiz
Posted by: The Wiz | May 20, 2011 at 02:13 PM