UH-oh Houston Bowl still owes $$$$

MeanGreen61 · April 13, 2006

Off the CUSA board. Note 3 new bowls seeking certification (last paragraph). One in Birmingham. CUSA & MAC gettin' spots ?

Conferences still waiting for full payout from Houston Bowl

Posted 4/13/2006

By Vicki Michaelis and Thomas O'Toole, USA TODAY

The payouts from last season's Houston Bowl have not yet been made in full, marking an unusually long wait for the conferences involved.

"It's the first time that has happened to the Big 12 in its 10-year history," said Bob Burda, assistant commissioner of communications for the league, which sent Iowa State to the bowl.

Including the 2005 season, Big 12 teams have 68 bowl appearances.

Houston Bowl executive director Shawn Bouley said Wednesday that he could not comment on the status of payouts, citing reasons of confidentiality.

Burda said the Big 12 has "received some money, but not all. It's in the range of 50%." He added that the league has been in discussions with Houston Bowl officials and hopes to get it resolved amicably.

Iowa State lost to TCU, a member of the Mountain West conference, in the Dec. 31 game at Reliant Stadium. Each team is due a $1.2 million payout, which is split among the teams in the respective conferences.

"We are currently working with the Houston Bowl regarding the payment due to the Mountain West Conference due to TCU's participation," Mountain West assistant commissioner of communications Javan Hedlund said. He would not elaborate on how much the league still is due.

Asked about the future of the bowl, Bouley said, "At this point, we're planning on having a 2006 bowl."

If the Houston Bowl does not come back next year, that would leave 27 Division I-A bowl games.

Three hopefuls are going before the NCAA postseason licensing committee next week looking for certification for 2006: Albuquerque (Mountain West vs. Western Athletic); Birmingham, Ala. (Conference USA vs. Big East or Mid-American); and Toronto (Big East vs. Mid-American).