Hawai'i Bowl planning to keep WAC, C-USA pairing
Advertiser Staff
The Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl said it plans to lock in the Western Athletic Conference and Conference USA for a multi-year renewal of an agreement to send teams to the bowl.
The current four-year deal expires with the completion of the Dec. 24 game this year.
"We've been talking to them and I expect to finalize (an extension) at some point this summer," said Pete Derzis, senior vice president of ESPN Regional Television, which owns and operates the game.
The WAC and C-USA have provided teams for the game since its inception in 2002. Hawai'i has represented the WAC in all three games while Tulane (2002), Houston (2003) and Alabama-Birmingham (2004) have represented C-USA.
Derzis said the new deal would probably be for three to four years.
Derzis said he has not had negotiations with the Pac-10, which has five of its six bowls up for renewal after 2005.
"I think there are certain aspects that might make participation for certain conferences more cost effective than for others," Derzis said. "I think part of it is that we need to continue to nurture and build this event."
Derzis said the bowl has not raised its ticket prices since its debut and would hold the line again this year.
