The Pacific-10 Conference and the Emerald Bowl renewed their agreement through at least 2013, and the Bowl announced three new affiliations.
The Emerald Bowl, now in its eighth year, will match the Pac-10’s No. 6 pick against top teams from the Western Athletic Conference, Navy and Army during the next four-year bowl cycle (2010-2013).
“We’re thrilled to extend our affiliation with the Pac-10,” said Emerald Bowl Executive Director Gary Cavalli in a press release. “Having the Pac-10 as our anchor conference has helped grow the game and build the Emerald Bowl’s stature and visibility on a national scale. With the Pac-10 in the game the last three years, we’ve drawn two sellout crowds and become one of the highest rated bowls on television.
“We’re also excited about our new partnerships with the WAC, Navy and Army. These agreements guarantee a high quality matchup for our fans, title sponsor and television viewers around the country. This combination of opponents gives us a perfect blend of local and national appeal, top-notch football and pageantry.”
Last year’s Emerald Bowl, which matched Cal vs Miami, drew a record crowd of 42,268 and a TV rating of 4.6, the 8th highest audience among the 34 bowl games. It has been Pac-10 vs. ACC.
The Pac-10 team’s opponent, Cavalli said, will be the WAC’s first, second or third place team in the years 2010 and 2013, with Army coming to San Francisco in 2011 and Navy in 2012.
OK, really?
The Pac-10 will bring fans but the TV ratings go out the window without the ACC. The WAC won’t bring TV, but it may bring fans.
On a personal note, I like the idea of the Emerald Bowl in downtown San Francisco. I hate the view from the field.
I didn’t see much of the game live the Beavers played in 2007. The press box is made for baseball, so the media was stuck on one end of an end zone. And of course most of the game the Beavers played was on the other side of the field.
After the game, I nearly got in a brawl with police trying to get on the field to do my job of interviewing people. I had to run around half the field, sneak onto it and blend in with the crowd to hide. Then I was able to get to work.
Fun times. Here’s my view of the game.
7 comments
mxpx5678 says:
Sep 10, 2009
Man that setup for football looks horrible. Why dont they play at candlestick? I know it is older but at least it is setup for football. And what are the chances that Army or Navy ever makes this game in the next 5 years?
aaron_ says:
Sep 10, 2009
So Army and Navy are gaurenteed to be in the bolw game in 11 and 12? What if they dont have a good enough record. I liked the idea of the ACC playing there but during these times I am sure that the ACC would rather travel up or down teh east coast. I think the WAC has some decent teams to offer up, Boise State, Fresno State, Hawaii, and San Jose State. I agree with Cliff, i think both the PAC-10 and the WAC will travel very well to the game, hopefully it just wont be the Beavers that go to it!
Cliff: Emerald Bowl with Pac-10 « Cliff Kirkpatrick | College Sports Nation says:
Sep 10, 2009
[...] is the original: Cliff: Emerald Bowl with Pac-10 « Cliff Kirkpatrick addthis_url = [...]
SonomaBeav says:
Sep 11, 2009
Can't do Candlestick because there are zero amenities and zero eating, drinking or dining establashments around the stadium. The game has to played at night to get the TV ratings required, and Hunters Point is NOT a place you want to be in at night….
Beaverfuzz says:
Sep 11, 2009
Don't have to worry about Army being in the game, Navy would be a fun team to play though. Should just play the game at Stanford's Stadium and forget about it being in downtown San Fran.
ckirkpatrick says:
Sep 11, 2009
Downtown Palo Alto isn't as cool as San Francisco. But the stadium is nice.
mxpx5678 says:
Sep 11, 2009
If you are going to do that you could also have it in Berkley. I just can't imagine watching a game from the view you posted above. But I agree the idea of the bowl game in the city is cool. Palo Alto also wouldn't be very exciting for the Pac-10 team as they play there a lot anyways.