FirstCuts: Who Says College Athletes Aren't Paid?

By Chris Littmann

Sports don't start and end with a referee's whistle. FirstCuts, a blog dedicated to sports culture, will cover everything outside the lines, from the games to the gear. Look for expanded FirstCuts content after the New Year.

Not all college football players are in bowl games, it only seems like it. For those lucky enough to make it to bowl season, a ballerific treasure trove awaits.

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Sports Business Journal did the legwork and put together a list of all the schwag athletes will pick up during the bowl games. Microsoft and Nintendo are giving away actual gaming consoles (an Xbox 360 is part of the package at the Insight Bowl while three bowls -- Pacific Life, Valero Alamo and BCS championship -- each hand out Nintendo Wiis to the players). Sony gives a PSP Slim to players at the Poinsettia Bowl -- as far as we saw, no Playstation 3 systems are being given away. Before you mock them, check out the list and see how many home theater systems and digital cameras will go out for free.

We're guessing the players at the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl and the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (hey, thanks for the short names!) are really excited to get rings from Jostens and Balfour, respectively. Hmmm, class rings or an iPod Touch at the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl? That's a tough choice. This is the kind of thing that causes people to transfer.

> Bowl Gifts to Players | Sporting News

This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.