A MODEST PROFIT.  Economic forecasting is hard.  Northern Illinois University's football program, contrary to the Superintendent's pessimistic expectations, returned about $50K above avoidable costs to the athletic department from their Humanitarian Bowl win.

Avoidable costs are lower for an early bowl game, as the cost of keeping the lights on in the stadium for practice until the New Year are avoided.  Humanitarian Bowl promoters also encourage Boise residents to attend the game for the entertainment value.

There is no such promotion for the Motor City Bowl, the game the Mid-American title game winner automatically qualifies to play in.  The Mid-American title game also takes place in Detroit, and it's very much a case of second place, two weeks in Detroit, first place, a week in Detroit.

On the one hand, Motor City Bowl promoters might encourage Detroiters to attend the game.  There's probably more play value in that game than there is in watching the Lions.  On the other hand, Detroiters don't have a lot of disposable income, attempts to promote car exports notwithstanding.