Vegas Bowl around $1.1 million vs. Hawaii Bowl around $600 thousand. That is huge when considering the difference in expenses to travel between Provo - Vegas or Provo Hawaii. Players, coaches, managers, trainers, administration, cheer leaders, band ?, equipment, etc.

Attending the Vegas Bowl means receiving $500 thousand more in payout vs. the Hawaii Bowl. This is on top of the savings due to less travel costs. This could add up to a potential $1.0 million payday vs. attending the Hawaii Bowl and receive a very small payout, if any at all.

I recall times that the administration would inform the donors that some bowl games actually cost BYU money to attend.

At least as an Indy, BYU is able to bank all of the excess payout without any other hands getting into their pockets. With that said, the payout between the two bowls means a lot to BYU. $500 thousand difference....

Take the flights (This is an estimate as I do not know what discounts BYU may or may not receive, nor does it include time on the ground required by the airport and FFA)

Provo to Las Vegas: flight 1.0 hour or 2.0 hour round trip at $16,000 per hour - $32,000, or 3% of the payout.
Provo to Honolulu: flight between Provo and Honolulu is approximately 6 hours 40 minutes or 13 hours and 20 minutes round trip (direct flight) round up to 14 hours x $16,000 per hour = $224,000 or 37% of the Hawaii Bowl payout.

Lodging (LV or Honolulu would be the same) again an estimate: 75 rooms with two occupants per room at $300 per night for seven nights = $157,500.

Meals estimated at $125 per day per person = $131,250 (same for either LV or Honolulu).

For the above three expenses: Vegas expense would equal only 29% of the payout. Honolulu expense would equal 85% of the payout.

We aren't finished with expenses:

Now add daily ground transportation (buses) and non-bowl related entertainment for about a week's time for over 150 people (I don't know how many actually travel on the school's dime). You can see how the payout quickly disappears. These are rough estimates that are either overstated or understated, but I think is a fare assessment.

Go Cougars!!!!!!!