College football bowl games are very much alive and well, despite those that felt the College Football Playoff would kill bowl season.
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The NCAA reported the official payout numbers for the 2014-15 bowl season, and it saw an increase of nearly $200 million from the previous year. According to the Associated Press, the NCAA's report will show that the 39 bowl games distributed $505.9 million to the participating schools and conferences. The total cost for all of the schools to travel to and take part in bowl games this year was $100.2 million.
This is a massive jump from the 2013-14 bowl season when schools paid $97.8 million and received $309.9 million in bowl payouts. The main jump in payout money comes from the TV deal for the seven College Football Playoff games.
ESPN pays $470 million for media rights each year for the seven Playoff bowl games — the two semifinal games, the national championship and the four other New Year's games — which is a huge increase from the $180 million they paid each year for the rights to the BCS. It is not specified exactly how much of that $470 million counts towards bowl payouts, but whatever it is, it certainly makes up a substantial portion of the $505.9 million.
After the College Football Playoff set records for college football game ratings on cable, it's clear that all parties involved are very pleased with the new system.
