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The Alamo Bowl has extended its conference agreements with the Big 12 and Big Ten through the 2005 game. The four-year extensions will allow the Alamo Bowl to continue to showcase two of the nation?s top conferences as a cornerstone during ESPN?s Bowl Week, their most-watched week of programming. The bowl?s previous contract, which ended after last year?s game, guaranteed each team a minimum payout of $1.2 million. Record revenues resulting from the soldout 2001 SYLVANIA Alamo Bowl translated into a windfall for Iowa and Texas Tech as the Alamo Bowl paid each school $1.55 million, the highest total in bowl history. Under the new conference agreements, the team payout will increase to $1.35 million in 2002, $1.45 million in 2003, $1.55 million in 2004 and $1.65 million in 2005. ?I can think of no better way to kick-off of our 10th Anniversary then to announce we are continuing our association with these two premier conferences,? said Diane Rath, Chairman of 2002 Alamo Bowl. ?We are looking forward to four more years of exciting match-ups between the Big 12 and Big Ten which we hope will continue to generate capacity crowds in the Alamodome and great ratings on ESPN.? “We are very pleased to have reached agreement with the Alamo Bowl for a four-year extension of our agreement,? said Kevin Weiberg, Commissioner of the Big 12 Conference. ?Big 12 teams have had a great experience in the Alamo Bowl and our teams and fans very much enjoying coming to San Antonio. We look forward to continuing the competition against a quality Big Ten opponent and to the great exposure this game provides our conference through ESPN.” HISTORY The Big 12 and Big Ten have been partners with the Alamo Bowl since 1995 when #19 Texas A&M beat #14 Michigan 22-20 in front of a soldout crowd of 64,597. This game earned a 6.3 rating on ESPN, who has been the bowl?s broadcast partner since the first game in 1993. Since 1995, the bowl has averaged 61,035 in attendance (94% of capacity) and a 4.53 rating, the second highest of the 15 bowl games ESPN televises. Following a record team payout of $1.55 million in 2001, the bowl has now contributed approximately $25 million to higher education with $21.5 million in bowl team payouts and $3.5 million in Big 12 Championship team payouts in nine years. Prior to 2001, the 1999 SYLVANIA Alamo Bowl between #13 Penn State and #18 Texas A&M had the highest payout $1.47 million per team ($1.2 million guarantee). This game still holds the Alamo Bowl record for largest attendance as a standing room only crowd of 65,380 packed the Alamodome. The Alamo Bowl is currently looking for a title sponsor to replace SYLVANIA who did not renew its sponsorship that began in 1999. ?The Alamo Bowl has a great foundation with two conferences that deliver nationally ranked teams who play games that get great ratings on ESPN and sellout crowds in person,? said Derrick Fox, Executive Director of the Alamo Bowl. ?Plus, the Alamo Bowl also has the advantage being based in San Antonio, a destination city that is perfect for hosting major sporting events. As we begin our 10th Anniversary season, we look forward to finding a new title sponsor who wants to benefit from our successful alliances and will help us continue to grow.? To commemorate the bowl?s 10th Anniversary season, Atkins/Lord + Lasker, the bowl?s advertising agency, designed a new logo. If you are a member of the media and would like an electronic version of the this logo or need more information on the conference agreements, please call Rick Hill at (210) 704-6388.