[Goose]

1703461969[/url]']
Half of the bowls are for Group of 5 teams.  ESPN uses less expensive talent and probably gets a sweetheart deal from the hosts of those games.  Most of those teams don’t get that much visibility during the regular season and don’t require much of a payout.

ESPN owns 17 of the 41 bowl games, mostly games scheduled prior to Christmas between Group of 5 teams.  I’m sure they make a nice profit.  Otherwise, they would eliminate the expense by wiping the game off the schedule.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. They own these games. If they aren't played, they become worthless and their value must be written off. That write off may be too much to bear. Disney wouldn't like that at all. If these games break even, or almost so, they can justify keeping them to protect the asset. There are also undoubtedly contractual obligations involved with these games that make abandonment very expensive. Lots of reasons to continue until the real costs clearly exceed the cost of abandonment.

[Goose]

1703461969[/url]']
Half of the bowls are for Group of 5 teams.  ESPN uses less expensive talent and probably gets a sweetheart deal from the hosts of those games.  Most of those teams don’t get that much visibility during the regular season and don’t require much of a payout.

ESPN owns 17 of the 41 bowl games, mostly games scheduled prior to Christmas between Group of 5 teams.  I’m sure they make a nice profit.  Otherwise, they would eliminate the expense by wiping the game off the schedule.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. They own these games. If they aren't played, they become worthless and their value must be written off. That write off may be too much to bear. Disney wouldn't like that at all. If these games break even, or almost so, they can justify keeping them to protect the asset. There are also undoubtedly contractual obligations involved with these games that make abandonment very expensive. Lots of reasons to continue until the real costs clearly exceed the cost of abandonment.