The Bahamas is set to host the new Bahamian Bowl featuring the C-USA and MAC.
In this gilded age of college football, there is no such thing as excess when it comes to postseason play. For the 2013-14 season, there are an unprecedented 35 bowl games for 125 FBS programs. This means 70 teams or roughly 56% of FBS programs go bowling. As if this were not enough, in a financially unhinged postseason it is anticipated that three more bowl games will be added to an already oversaturated postseason for the 2014-15 season.
Conference USA and the MAC are teaming up to play in the Bahamas Bowl in Nassau at the 15,000 seat Thomas Robinson Stadium. C-USA is also teaming up with the American Athletic Conference, Mountain West, or MAC to play in a yet to be named or sponsored bowl in Boca Raton, Florida at FAU’s 29,000 seat stadium. Additionally, the Sun Belt and MAC are scheduled to meet in the Camellia Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama.
In the past few years, postseason play has proven to be a financial backbreaker for many teams to include big time programs. So it is hard to imagine the profitability margin for two non-household name programs traveling to the Bahamas in December with 15,000 fans in support.
With 38 bowl games coming next season, time will tell if this move proves to be positive from a financial and fan perspective.
