SDSU, Nicholls State make $300,000 deal

One team is really hurting for cash. The other team badly wants to go to a bowl game. Combine those two interests and the result is a $300,000 deal between San Diego State and Nicholls State of Louisiana. In exchange for that money, Nicholls State has agreed to play SDSU Saturday at Qualcomm Stadium in the football season opener for both teams. The Colonels made the agreement even though they play in an inferior division with fewer resources and smaller, slower players. Meanwhile, SDSU has never paid that much money to bring in an opponent from the Football Championship Subdivision. The Aztecs might even lose money on the game. Keep in mind SDSU’s average per-game ticket revenue last year was $233,000. But the deal works for both teams because of the inequities in Division I football and the importance SDSU is placing on earning its first bowl berth since 1998. — San Diego Union-Tribune