The college football bowl season is now in full swing with bowl games almost every day until the BCS National Championship game on Jan 7, 2008. As we watch these games, we realize that these are not pro athletes, but rather college kids who are playing for the love of the game. They are not getting paid, and most will not make it to the NFL. Still, they are not leaving college empty handed. This article in the Sporting News lists all the free stuff college football players get for playing in a bowl game. Besides the great experience of playing in a bowl game, these college kids get a pretty decent haul of free stuff.
When an actor gets nominated for an Academy Award, they can expect a gift basket of free stuff known as “swag”. The gift basket includes jewelry, electronics, and luggage that can total tens of thousands of dollars. It is always a big thrill for the recipients to receive “swag”. Never mind that they can easily afford to buy these items. No matter how much money you make, it is always a thrill to get free stuff.
The “bowl swag” college football players get at bowl games does not compare to the ones actors get, but for a financially struggling student athlete, it is a big deal. You don’t even have to go to a major bowl to get decent stuff. The teams playing in the BCS championship game this year will get the following items:
- BCS Championship game: Nintendo Wii, Madden NFL 08 and two additional games, and Majestic fleece pullover New Era cap
Not bad, but Cal playing in the Armed Forces Bowl, not exactly a major bowl still get a decent booty.
- Armed Forces Bowl: Slingbox Solo, Timely Watch Co. watch, Armor Gear rolling duffle bag, and ball
Its not necessarily true that the better bowl game you are in, the better “swag” you get. Other bowls, get stereos, and TVs. For teams that are in major bowls every year, the players can get a decent amount of merchandise after a few years. I wonder how much of this free stuff ends up on Ebay.
