Even as there were two licenses issued by the NCAA for new bowl games set to commence in 2009-2010, there’s only a net gain of one bowl over last year, the Associated Press is reporting.
All told, 35 bowl games received approval and the accompanying licenses from the NCAA for the right to exist. Last year, there were 34 bowls, although, to be fair, it felt more like 84. There would likely have been 36 bowl games this year were it not for the sudden and tragic demise of the International Bowl last month.
The two new bowl games are the previously announced New Era Pinstripe Bowl at the new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx Dec. 30, and the Dallas Football Classic in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1.
The NCAA also announced that each bowl was licensed on a four-year cycle through 2013-2014, which coincides with the length of agreements conferences have with most of the bowls.
As for the two bowls that were denied licenses, they were the Cure Bowl in Orlando and the Christmas Bowl in Los Angeles.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, it’s the second time the Cure Bowl has been denied by the NCAA. The proceeds from the game would’ve gone to the fight against breast cancer.