Toronto approves bid to host bowl game

TORONTO -- A plan to bid for a college football bowl game here next year won support Thursday from a committee of the Toronto Council.

A U.S.-based group, Sports World Interactive, wants to stage a game between teams from the Big East and Mid-America conferences at SkyDome in December 2005.

"One of the key economic benefits is the broadcast contract of the bowl game," said Duncan Ross, executive director of Tourism Toronto. "This will be seen by millions in the U.S.A., and perhaps some of those people will be introduced to Toronto for the first time."

The economic development and parks committee, hearing estimates that the game could pump as much as $20 million into the local economy, decided to endorse the bid and send a representative to the NCAA's event-certification meeting next April.

The city's support doesn't leave it open to any financial obligations, because Sports World Interactive has to acquire the TV deal, SkyDome contract, teams and sponsors, Ross said.

"We're just simply endorsing it and allowing the city to be hosting the event," committee chairman Brian Ashton said. "It's all managed, and all the risks are with the NCAA and the promoting company."