Big Ten Bowl Swag
Link just posted in the ESPN Big Ten blog. I'm hoping the "gift suite" is compelling, because a fleece pullover doesn't generate much excitement.
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/41009/a-look-at-the-big-ten-bowl-swag-2
December 8th, 2011 at 3:05 PM ^
What's up with all the TImely Watch Co. watches?
December 8th, 2011 at 3:19 PM ^
I am 27, and am in the minority among my peers in that I DO wear a watch. I would be surprised if may of them even want that.
December 8th, 2011 at 4:07 PM ^
I am much older and I don't wear a watch. I never liked them much to begin with, but I have zero reason to wear one these days.
December 8th, 2011 at 8:39 PM ^
I'm 20 and wear a watch. Easier/quicker than pulling a phone out of your pocket, and it isn't disrespectful to your professors while in class. Plus, a nice watch is STYLIN.
December 8th, 2011 at 3:11 PM ^
Just curious, why are these not considered illegal benefits?
December 8th, 2011 at 3:21 PM ^
Well, the easy answer is that these items are OKed by the NCAA. Athletes get great accomodations when they travel, or by the AD, just as long as its cleared by the NCAA. Think of how much food is given to the football team when they celebrate Thanksgiving together or when they go to a hotel for fall practice and get all of their meals paid for while they are there. There is a certain limit in place.
December 8th, 2011 at 4:49 PM ^
They are not given out by schools or organizations affiliated with schools, so they're ok by the NCAA. The only reason this could be a problem is if the Rose Bowl (or any bowl with conference affiliations) started giving out cars or something, making recruits more likely to join those conferences. But I think there's a limit on the gift value to stop things like this.
December 8th, 2011 at 3:14 PM ^
I think you missed the "magestic" tag on that fleece pullover. Clearly, its a tremendous fleece if they call it "magestic," right?
December 8th, 2011 at 3:14 PM ^
Gift suite is quite compelling...they are given access to a room where they can pick out whatever they want up to the allowable limit. Probably the best type of gift.
December 8th, 2011 at 3:15 PM ^
"Gift suites are set up as private events in which game participants, and often bowl VIPs, are given an order form and allowed to select a gift, or gifts, up to a value that is predetermined by each specific bowl, not to exceed the NCAA limit of $550 per person."
December 8th, 2011 at 6:10 PM ^
I like that the NCAA has adjusted for inflation and made the limit $550, instead of $500.
December 8th, 2011 at 3:18 PM ^
My favorite comment from an ESPN Big Ten Blog commentator: "Gift Suite is just code for hookers and blow, right?"
December 8th, 2011 at 3:22 PM ^
I'm no expert in these matters, but that doesn't sound like a lot.
December 8th, 2011 at 3:26 PM ^
$550 gets you in New Orleans on both counts. And I'm speaking strictly as a former federal prosecutor, of course.
December 8th, 2011 at 4:24 PM ^
If your a former Fed prosecuter its all free to you!
December 8th, 2011 at 3:19 PM ^
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2011/12/05/In-Depth/Bowl-Gifts-List.aspx
I like what Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Northwestern get from the bowls. Everyone else in the Big Ten just gets ok stuff.
December 8th, 2011 at 3:24 PM ^
R+L Carriers Bowl gives a Samsung Galaxy tablet.
Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl gives a PS3 and some Oakley stuff
Military Bowl gives an Amazon Kindle Fire, an iPod Nano, and some other stuff
Champs Sports Bowl gives $420 at Best Buy and a watch.
Alamo Bowl gives $400 at Best Buy, a watch, and some other stuff.
A bunch of bowls gave out watches for some reason...
December 8th, 2011 at 4:22 PM ^
I use the pocket watch my grandfather left me when he died on special get togethers. Other then that I won't use a watch until I can afford a Rolex. My phone keeps perfect time. Silly gift for a college kid in my opinion.
December 8th, 2011 at 3:36 PM ^
Whats a gift suite?
December 8th, 2011 at 3:56 PM ^
When I was a student ('07-'11) a lot of the players rocked that Rose Bowl bag that Wisconsin will be getting.
December 8th, 2011 at 4:56 PM ^
This Timely Watch Co. has just about the tackiest stuff I've ever seen. I'd rather be seen wearing a slap bracelet.
December 8th, 2011 at 5:07 PM ^
I didn't know Myspace supported commercial websites... I guess we know how they keep prices down at "Timely Watch Co."
December 8th, 2011 at 5:26 PM ^
What are you talking about? Purdue players are going to get this awesome watch:
I'd drape myself in velvet and wear that watch everywhere I go.
December 8th, 2011 at 5:29 PM ^
Kork Coupons?
I could literally see each frame load up and then populate colors/gifs etc.
December 8th, 2011 at 6:39 PM ^
I thought the Independence Bowl watch was a Postal Service retirement gift
December 8th, 2011 at 5:01 PM ^
I love that Rittenberg opens with Hoke's swag quote. Fantastic.
December 8th, 2011 at 5:15 PM ^
With all the complaining in East Lansing, I think sparty clearly has the best gifts: $150 bestbuy gift card, a watch, Outback Steakhouse gift card. They can buy a DVR to tape the Rose Bowl that they're missing.
December 8th, 2011 at 5:16 PM ^
Do you have to declare gift cards when they exceed a certain amount and pay taxes on it?
December 8th, 2011 at 5:19 PM ^
I like for my coach to have that atruibute...swagged out to a 10-2 record.