Sifting through I-Bowl theories

[Zeebart21]

_ Did you not hear? NIU has "tens of thousands" of alumni in Chicago... it's a marketing bonanza for Shreveport and "ESPN Regional"! I googled and there are over 45 colleges and universities in the Chicago metro area... with a total enrollment of over 250,000 students... and NIU is not listed. U of Illinois-Chicago is bigger than NIU... in Chicago. Oh, 1 in every 5 people over the age of 5 in Chicago either do not speak English, or they have another language as primary... more homeless people are on the street or in shelters (over 40,000) than there are NIU alumni living in the city limits of Chicago. It's a marketing bonanza I tell ya!!!

I just hope the Indy and ESPN don't "over-market" the resort destination of Shreveport to the Chicago area. Next thing you know, we'll have Rev Wright and Gov Blago setting up shop in Shreveport. Couldn't happen to a smarter bunch. _

I hear the response has been so great that American Airlines has cut out the 5th leg out of the Chicago to Shreveport rt. By cutting out the Little Rock AR stop, you now can get there via Chicago to LGA to Miami to DFW to Shvpt., It now only takes 18 hrs as oppose to 19 hrs 43 min., 13 secs. What an economic boost to the region!!

Z

[Zeebart21]

_ Or how about all the tigger fans commenting daily stating that UL fans should stop "whining"? This from a bunch that is still whining about Saban leaving three years ago. _

Sabans owns

Z

[4LSU]

_ Ho, ho, ho, and a bottle of rum,
You be down in 'da Caribbean? _

Well, maybe technically close to the Caribbean soon. Taking a 5 day cruise out of NO on the 27th. I plan on chilling, chilling, and chilling some more. Each nite I hope to say, "Just burp me and put me to bed."

You headed to Florida?

Happy Holidays to you and yours.

[LsuULfan]

_ See you Tuesday. Ho, Ho, Ho!

Z _

you got mail

[CajunFun]

I realize I'm the odd man out here, but I thought it was a decent article. He nicely summarized [some] arguments for and against each theory.

He mentioned a couple of things I had not thought about. If Tech backs out, the bowl is in a mess. The problem with that one is, does Tech really have that option? Are they really going to turn down a bowl invite? More likely explanation is that Tech supporters connected to the I-Bowl brought pressure to bear.

The other one I hadn't considered is the idea that an all-Louisiana bowl would not have drawn as much TV market share. I don't disagree with the comments here that NIU is not a big draw; but they will nevertheless attract regional television attention.

Face it, when any of us are flipping through the channels looking for a college game to watch, we're much more likely to watch teams that are closer to us. I will always watch an SEC or Big 12 game before a Pac 10 or Big East game. Even if it's the 1AA playoffs, if I have a choice between a bowl with two BCS teams from remote parts of the country, I'll likely watch the 1AA game if one or two southern schools are playing.

If that observation is accurate, them we need to know if the TV money is more than the ticket sales. If so, then actually that's the best argument I've heard yet for picking NIU.

That doesn't mean I don't think the I-Bowl was foolish, because they didn't calculate the political damage. Or maybe they did, but they just used the old calculus.

Because it is a new day. I saw a Legislator the other day, told him I had put up the list of elected officials' names with contact info on ultoday.com. His response was, "Bring 'em on." They want this fight.

He also confirmed my theory in the article, about why we have been screwed in the past. The local delegation took up this fight with the I-Bowl, only AFTER checking with Martin Hall. And yes, in the old days they also checked with Martin Hall, but were always told, "Thank you, but please let us handle this."

And let me point out a problem almost all of you missed: if we're going to change this state, because of the demographics, it is imperative that Lafayette & Shreveport cooperate. Lafayette is the largest city in greater Acadiana, Shreveport is the biggest city in North Louisiana. Greater Acadiana + North Louisiana ≈ 1/2 of Louisiana. Given the historical cabal between BR & NO, an Acadiana-North LA partnership is the only way our two cities can defend ourselves. (Although I need to point out that BR+NO is not a very friendly alliance, and the predatory attitude of BR toward NO after Katrina has caused a lot more damage to that partnership than most people realize.)

So this tiff will set a Lafayette-Shreveport collaboration back a bit.

But only a bit. We still need each other.

[RaginFan2]

_ I realize I'm the odd man out here, but I thought it was a decent article. He nicely summarized [some] arguments for and against each theory.

He mentioned a couple of things I had not thought about. If Tech backs out, the bowl is in a mess. The problem with that one is, does Tech really have that option? Are they really going to turn down a bowl invite? More likely explanation is that Tech supporters connected to the I-Bowl brought pressure to bear.

The other one I hadn't considered is the idea that an all-Louisiana bowl would not have drawn as much TV market share. I don't disagree with the comments here that NIU is not a big draw; but they will nevertheless attract regional television attention.

Face it, when any of us are flipping through the channels looking for a college game to watch, we're much more likely to watch teams that are closer to us. I will always watch an SEC or Big 12 game before a Pac 10 or Big East game. Even if it's the 1AA playoffs, if I have a choice between a bowl with two BCS teams from remote parts of the country, I'll likely watch the 1AA game if one or two southern schools are playing.

If that observation is accurate, them we need to know if the TV money is more than the ticket sales. If so, then actually that's the best argument I've heard yet for picking NIU.

That doesn't mean I don't think the I-Bowl was foolish, because they didn't calculate the political damage. Or maybe they did, but they just used the old calculus.

Because it is a new day. I saw a Legislator the other day, told him I had put up the list of elected officials' names with contact info on ultoday.com. His response was, "Bring 'em on." They want this fight.

He also confirmed my theory in the article, about why we have been screwed in the past. The local delegation took up this fight with the I-Bowl, only AFTER checking with Martin Hall. And yes, in the old days they also checked with Martin Hall, but were always told, "Thank you, but please let us handle this."

And let me point out a problem almost all of you missed: if we're going to change this state, because of the demographics, it is imperative that Lafayette & Shreveport cooperate. Lafayette is the largest city in greater Acadiana, Shreveport is the biggest city in North Louisiana. Greater Acadiana + North Louisiana ≈ 1/2 of Louisiana. Given the historical cabal between BR & NO, an Acadiana-North LA partnership is the only way our two cities can defend ourselves. (Although I need to point out that BR+NO is not a very friendly alliance, and the predatory attitude of BR toward NO after Katrina has caused a lot more damage to that partnership than most people realize.)

So this tiff will set a Lafayette-Shreveport collaboration back a bit.

But only a bit. We still need each other. _

Interesting points. I've always felt that one of our biggest problems as a state is the lack of cooperation/coordination as a state. We are like a bunch of Greek city-states. Each out for their own self-interest. They heck with the others - let them get their own. Until we start having a state-wide focus, we'll keep having these internecine wars to the detriment of the whole state. JMO

[CajunFun]

_ Interesting points. I've always felt that one of our biggest problems as a state is the lack of cooperation/coordination as a state. We are like a bunch of Greek city-states. Each out for their own self-interest. They heck with the others - let them get their own. Until we start having a state-wide focus, we'll keep having these internecine wars to the detriment of the whole state. JMO _

I wrote a letter to the editor to The Times & The Advertiser, talking about some of these things.

Got a call fm The Times this AM, so I'm assuming they're running it. Let's see if the Advertiser picks it up.

[DFW Tiger]

Let's assume the Cajuns have a 7 win (or better) season next year and get an I-bowl invite. Let's also assume that's the only option- do you accept or decline? My guess, the Cajuns would eagerly accept, regardless of what happened this year.

[ljr3721]

The other one I hadn't considered is the idea that an all-Louisiana bowl would not have drawn as much TV market share. I don't disagree with the comments here that NIU is not a big draw; but they will nevertheless attract regional television attention.

Credit BOP for this theory, but I think it's a sound one.

The Independence Bowl is without a sponsor. If it is to continue operating, it is essential that they secure a new sponsor. Sponsors care about one thing--TV ratings. Sponsors don't care about butts in seats.

You put Tech and UL in a game within the state of Louisiana, and most who are interested in the game will be there, and therefore, not watching on TV. And, outside of the state, no one will care.

It's the only explanation that makes any sense. I believe that if a sponsor was in place, we'd all be getting ready for a road trip this weekend.

[DestinCajun]

_ Credit BOP for this theory, but I think it's a sound one.

The Independence Bowl is without a sponsor. If it is to continue operating, it is essential that they secure a new sponsor. Sponsors care about one thing--TV ratings. Sponsors don't care about butts in seats.

You put Tech and UL in a game within the state of Louisiana, and most who are interested in the game will be there, and therefore, not watching on TV. And, outside of the state, no one will care.

It's the only explanation that makes any sense. I believe that if a sponsor was in place, we'd all be getting ready for a road trip this weekend. _

Somebody remember to came back and post the TV ratings for this game particularly the "Chicago market".

My own experience with bowl games other than New Year's Day and BCS championship game, is that they draw the fans of the two participating schools, lurkers and the hardcore college football fan crowd (to one degree or another).

There's going to be a great game tomorrow night in San Diego. Too bad it's being played 2 days before Christmas because a lot of people with too much stuff left to do will not see it. Being a hardcore college football fan, I'll see it but I'll do so but by myself in my household.