'Tis the season for permissible benefits for college football players.
Each player in each of the 40 bowl games (including the College Football Playoff semifinals and national championship) will receive a gift package worth up to $550, the maximum amount allowed by the NCAA.
David Broughton and Brandon McClung of Sports Business Journal compiled a list of gift packages for each bowl game (with the exception of some games that do not disclose gifts). Nearly all of the 40 packages include specific gifts (e.g. gift card, game system, backpack), but some give players a shopping trip (e.g. Bass Pro Shops, Belk) or time in a gift suite in which they select their own gifts.
Postseason Apology Tour: Washington State
Because we don't know what's included in a gift suite or shopping trips, those packages were not included in the rankings of the best bowl gift packages this year:
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5. PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
Gifts: PS4 gift package, Fossil watch with engraved caseback, Ogio X-Fit backpack
Players from LSU and UCF receive the biggest and best actual item (i.e. not a gift card) with the Ps4 gift package, which presumably includes a PS4 system, controllers and at least one game.
It is not, however, the best package for players who already have a PS4.
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4. Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Gifts: $300 Visa gift card, Fossil watch, Mophie Powerstation XL, Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker (3rd generation), football
The Gators and Wolverines get four items, the most notable of which is a $300 Visa gift card that can be used anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted (i.e. anywhere). The Mophie Powerstation XL (portable battery chargers) and Echo Dot are nice complementary items.
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2(t). VRBO Citrus Bowl
Gifts: $400 Best Buy gift card, Fossil watch, Ogio backpack with luggage tag
This is why the Fiesta Bowl is ranked fifth. The Citrus Bowl offers more flexibility for players from Kentucky and Penn State who already have a PS4 or, in rare cases, aren't interested in gaming.
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2(t). Camping World Bowl
Gifts: $400 Best Buy gift card, Fossil watch, Ogio backpack with luggage tag
Same stadium, same gifts as the Citrus Bowl (for West Virginia and Syracuse).
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1. Valero Alamo Bowl
Gifts: $425 Amazon gift card, Fossil watch, mini helmet, team panoramic photo
The Alamo Bowl has the best and most versatile gift, a gigantic Amazon gift card that represents nearly 80 percent of the total gift. The watch is a nice touch — and some Iowa State and Washington State players will appreciate the mini helmet and photo — but this package is all about the limitless Amazon gift card.
