Four-Year Agreements with Big East Conference and Conference USA
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. April 27, 2010; Tweet this release– ESPN Regional Television, along with the BIG EAST Conference and Conference USA, announced the signing of an agreement with each conference for the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg in Florida, effective through the 2013 college football season.
The Sun Belt Conference also signed an agreement to provide a backup for the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg and will provide a team, should there be an opening.
“We are excited to extend the relationship with both charter members of the bowl.” said Pete Derzis, senior vice president & general manager, ESPN Regional Television. “Both leagues have expressed their enjoyment of the bowl game experience in St. Petersburg, and we look forward to more exciting football in the years to come.”
The BIG EAST and C-USA’s agreement with the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg means a team from each conference will again appear in the Florida bowl game, now in its third year. The BIG EAST has won each of the first two games.
The 2010 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg will be played in prime time Tuesday, Dec. 21, with an 8 p.m. kickoff at Tropicana Field, and will be televised nationally on ESPN.
“The growth of the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl in only two years has been extremely impressive,” BIG EAST Commissioner John Marinatto said. “St. Petersburg is a very attractive destination for BIG EAST teams and BIG EAST fans. We’re happy that we’re able to continue our agreement with the bowl.”
Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky added, “St. Petersburg and the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl have provided a first-class event in a fantastic location to reward our teams and their fans for a great season. We are thrilled to continue highlighting our teams on ESPN against a quality opponent.”
In last season’s Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg, the BIG EAST’s Rutgers defeated UCF of Conference USA, 45-24 in front of a crowd of 28,000. In the inaugural game in 2008, South Florida, representing the BIG EAST, defeated C-USA representative Memphis 41-14 at Tropicana Field.