Lawless Republic
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New bowl games may be coming in 2020, and BYU Football can benefit

By Shaun Gordon

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 21: Jamaal Williams #21 of the Brigham Young Cougars carries the offensive player of the year award offstage after defeating the Wyoming Cowboys 24-21 in the Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium December 21, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 21: Jamaal Williams #21 of the Brigham Young Cougars carries the offensive player of the year award offstage after defeating the Wyoming Cowboys 24-21 in the Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium December 21, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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1 Jan 1997: Wide receiver Kevin Lockett of the Kansas State Wildcats catches the ball as Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Tim McTyer tackles him during the Cotton Bowl at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. BYU won the game, 19-15. Mandatory Credit:
1 Jan 1997: Wide receiver Kevin Lockett of the Kansas State Wildcats catches the ball as Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Tim McTyer tackles him during the Cotton Bowl at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. BYU won the game, 19-15. Mandatory Credit: /

Is the Status Quo Better?

BYU may have a great opportunity in 2020 to sign a long-term bowl contract, but that doesn’t mean they should. There are pros and cons either way.

By signing a long-term deal, the Cougars would have security and stability. They’d know they’re set for multiple years, avoiding the hassle of negotiating on a year-by-year basis.

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Or having to wait to see what bowl games have openings like they’ll have to in 2018.

What they wouldn’t have is variety. Going to the same bowl year after year can get old for both the team and the fans. Plus, signing a long-term deal with a lower-tier bowl wouldn’t accomplish anything to build BYU’s program profile.

If the Cougars decide to stick to what they’ve done so far in independence, it would give them the flexibility to schedule different bowls each year, spicing things up for the team and for the fans. Plus, with a little creative negotiating, the Cougars could strike split deals with multiple bowls, much like they did with the Las Vegas and Hawaii Bowls between 2015 and 2019.

Nearly half of the bowls currently running have contracts that involve more than two conferences. Some alternate years, others rotate in different ways. The Cougars could take advantage of situations like that.

On the flip side, that equals a lot more work and a lot more juggling by Tom Holmoe and the athletic department. Some years there might not be a contract that works, leaving the Cougars at the mercy of bowl free agency, much like this year.

Whichever way BYU decides to go from 2020 on, they’ll certainly take a long, hard look at their options.

Fortunately, either option gets a boost with the three new bowls.

The opportunity for a long-term deal will be there if they want it.

If not, there will be more options for year-by-year deals, and a bigger cushion of games if they find themselves without a contracted home for a season.

It’s a classic win-win situation.

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