Half-empty stadiums won't stop number of bowls from going up
FILE- This Dec. 30, 2019, file photo shows empty seats as Western Kentucky and Western Michigan line up for the snap during the second half of the NCAA First Responder Bowl college football game in Dallas. Bowls outside the College Football Playoff structure might excite only the most ardent fans of the participating teams, be played in half-empty stadiums and prompt howls about there being too many games. They aren't going away, though. There'll be three more next season, bringing the total number of bowls to 42. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman, File)

FILE- This Dec. 30, 2019, file photo shows empty seats as Western Kentucky and Western Michigan line up for the snap during the second half of the NCAA First Responder Bowl college football game in Dallas. Bowls outside the College Football Playoff structure might excite only the most ardent fans of the participating teams, be played in half-empty stadiums and prompt howls about there being too many games. They aren't going away, though. There'll be three more next season, bringing the total number of bowls to 42. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman, File)

Jan. 09, 2020 08:01 AM EST
FILE- This Dec. 30, 2019, file photo shows many empty seats as a flag is displayed on the field before the NCAA First Responder Bowl college football game between Western Michigan and Western Kentucky in Dallas. Bowls outside the College Football Playoff structure might excite only the most ardent fans of the participating teams, be played in half-empty stadiums and prompt howls about there being too many games. They aren't going away, though. There'll be three more next season, bringing the total number of bowls to 42. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman, File)

FILE- This Dec. 30, 2019, file photo shows many empty seats as a flag is displayed on the field before the NCAA First Responder Bowl college football game between Western Michigan and Western Kentucky in Dallas. Bowls outside the College Football Playoff structure might excite only the most ardent fans of the participating teams, be played in half-empty stadiums and prompt howls about there being too many games. They aren't going away, though. There'll be three more next season, bringing the total number of bowls to 42. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman, File)

Jan. 09, 2020 08:00 AM EST
FILE- In this Dec. 30, 2019, file photo, a lot of seats are unoccupied as Western Kentucky quarterback Ty Storey (4) throws a pass during the second half of the NCAA First Responder Bowl college football game against Western Michigan in Dallas. Bowls outside the College Football Playoff structure might excite only the most ardent fans of the participating teams, be played in half-empty stadiums and prompt howls about there being too many games. They aren't going away, though. There'll be three more next season, bringing the total number of bowls to 42. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman, File)

FILE- In this Dec. 30, 2019, file photo, a lot of seats are unoccupied as Western Kentucky quarterback Ty Storey (4) throws a pass during the second half of the NCAA First Responder Bowl college football game against Western Michigan in Dallas. Bowls outside the College Football Playoff structure might excite only the most ardent fans of the participating teams, be played in half-empty stadiums and prompt howls about there being too many games. They aren't going away, though. There'll be three more next season, bringing the total number of bowls to 42. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman, File)

Jan. 09, 2020 08:01 AM EST