[fullmetal]

Actually I had two sons who played in bowl games and were quite happy to do it (at least they never complained). So maybe that's why I'm perhaps a little less skeptical about the player willingness to participate in the games than some here.

Players
1. A chance to be on TV and prove yourself against an opponent of roughly equal success from elsewhere in the country
2. Bowl gifts/gift suite
3. Travel with the team, friends/family traveling to see you during a traditional vacation period.  If you're lucky, the bowl is in a nice destination.

Coaches
1. Extra practice
2. Recruiting exposure--TV, possibly a strategic geographic locale where recruits can come see the team
3. There's probably a salary incentive associated with making it to and winning a bowl game
4. Travel with family (post-game; see #3 above).  My guess is that the coaches' families never really see the coaches during the season, so family time is important.

[fullmetal]

Actually I had two sons who played in bowl games and were quite happy to do it (at least they never complained). So maybe that's why I'm perhaps a little less skeptical about the player willingness to participate in the games than some here.

Players
1. A chance to be on TV and prove yourself against an opponent of roughly equal success from elsewhere in the country
2. Bowl gifts/gift suite
3. Travel with the team, friends/family traveling to see you during a traditional vacation period.  If you're lucky, the bowl is in a nice destination.

Coaches
1. Extra practice
2. Recruiting exposure--TV, possibly a strategic geographic locale where recruits can come see the team
3. There's probably a salary incentive associated with making it to and winning a bowl game
4. Travel with family (post-game; see #3 above).  My guess is that the coaches' families never really see the coaches during the season, so family time is important.