FBA 2018 Media Guide FLIP (2)

The Bowl Experience:
The proof is in the numbers
Do bowl games reach their main goal, that of providing each game participant
with a quality experience that they will remember the rest of their lives?
Yes, they do ... and if proof is needed, the Football Bowl Association and the
NCAA have the numbers.
Four different surveys done over the past six years by those two groups, the
ones most involved in college football’s bowl system, have reached the same
conclusions. The bowls, their organizations and the institutions that stage
the games have been overwhelmingly successful at giving student-athletes,
coaches, support groups and fans a positive experience to end their seasons.
The NCAA and Ohio University last year produced a 'satisfaction' survey. A total
of 78 teams participated in 40 bowls. Seventy percent of teams survey reported
a 'very positive' experience while another 28% reported a 'positive' experience.
Two seasons ago, 2016-17, analysts at San Diego State University and George
Washington University released a comprehensive study on the economic impact
of bowl games in the communities where they are played.
Some of the highlights included:
• The average economic impact [EI] ranged from $12.6M on
the lower end [Group of 5] to $93.7M for New Year’s Six
contests. Taking all bowls into account, the average EI was
$40.3M. The total estimated income derived from bowl
games per year is over $1.4 billion dollars.
• In many cases, bowl week spending ranks in the top three
shopping weeks of the year for bowl locales of all sizes, be
it New Year’s Six games, Power 5 vs. Power 5, Power 5 vs.
Group of 5, and Group of 5 vs. Group of 5.
Four years ago, the FBA sent surveys to all 72 bowl institutions, and these were
directed exclusively to the most important group – the student-athletes. The
FBA partnered with the Ohio University Center for Sports Administration for
another far-reaching survey to find out if the bowls were truly resonating with
the student-athlete.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta provided a perfect backdrop
for last year's Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl game. Central Florida
concluded its unbeaten season with its victory over Auburn.
– 4 –