Tampa, FL -- Outback Bowl officials announced today that they have reached new agreements that will extend each of its major partnerships through the January 1, 2006 game. The four-year contract extensions with title sponsor Outback Steakhouse, ESPN TV, the Big Ten Conference and Southeastern Conference will continue the Outback Bowls position in the New Year's Day lineup and as the sixth highest paying bowl. The bowl will guarantee minimum payouts totaling $26 million over the next five years.

"We couldn't be more pleased to continue our relationship with all of our key partners," notes bowl Chairman Dick Christian. "The Tampa Bay community can be assured of many more years of exciting match ups between the SEC and Big Ten."

"Maintaining our relationship with the Big Ten and the SEC will help us to continue to meet our goals for the Outback Bowl and the Tampa Bay community," explains Outback Bowl President / CEO Jim McVay. "Thanks to the support of the community, Outback Steakhouse and ESPN the Outback Bowl will continue to be one of the top bowl games in the country and a major vehicle to showcase the Tampa Bay area."

The bowl's current contracts, which end after the January 2002 game, guarantees a minimum combined team payout of $4.4 million for the upcoming bowl. Under the new agreement the payout will then increase to $5.1 million for the 2003 game, $5.3 million for 2004, $5.5 million for 2005, and $5.7 million for the January 2006 game.

"We are very excited to continue our sponsorship of the Outback Bowl and our association with the two most prestigious college football conferences in the nation," says Outback Steakhouse CEO Chris Sullivan. "We are also proud to be a part of an event that has such a positive impact on the Tampa Bay community."

"The Big Ten Conference is extremely pleased to extend our agreement with the Outback Bowl for the next four years," notes Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany. "The Big Ten has a tradition of playing bowl games on New Year's Day and the Outback Bowl is a significant post-season game for the Conference. We are pleased to continue the relationship with the Southeastern Conference and the partnerships with ESPN and Outback Steakhouse. Big Ten coaches, players and fans have enjoyed visiting the Tampa area during the holiday season and look forward to continuing this tradition."

"The Southeastern Conference is pleased to be extending this agreement with the Outback Bowl," said SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer. "Since 1996, our schools have enjoyed going to Tampa and playing in the Outback Bowl. The Outback Bowl provides a state-of-the-art stadium, excellent accommodations and an overall outstanding atmosphere for our schools to conclude an outstanding season. We look forward to the continued excellent relationship between the SEC, the Big Ten and the Outback Bowl."

The Outback Bowl is seen nationally on ESPN TV and the 2001 game was also seen in 103 foreign countries. "We are delighted to extend our relationship with the Outback Bowl, which has become a cornerstone of our expanding post-season bowl coverage," said John Wildhack, ESPN's Senior Vice President of Programming.

Last year's game featured South Carolina and Ohio State as more than 50,000 visitors came to the area, generating 42,000 hotel room nights and a $30 million economic impact.

The 2002 Outback Bowl will kickoff at 11 A.M. on New Year's Day. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster by calling 813-287-8844, online at www.ticketmaster.com or at Florida Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets are $50 plus Ticketmaster service charge. Special priority seating Membership packages can be purchased directly through the Outback Bowl office by calling (813) 874-2695.