The Insight Bowl held in Sun Devil Stadium in Arizona (yes, that Arizona) has upgraded itself into a second tier bowl by partnering with ESPN. In a multi year agreement with the World Wide Leader and a four year contract still ongoing with the Big Ten and the Big 12, the Insight Bowl has increased it’s payout to $6.65 million to participating teams. A substantial $5.3 million increase from the $1.35 million payout just last season. Just another example of how there is nothing you can’t achieve by simply throwing money at it.

With the substantial increase in payout, this also improves the Insight Bowl’s position in the Big Ten and Big 12′s bowl pecking order. Last season, at $1.35 million a team, the Insight Bowl was allowed the 6th selection of teams from both conferences after BCS teams had been determined. For the Big Ten this essentially meant the 8th selection of teams after Ohio State and Iowa both earned BCS spots. What the nation got was the blockbuster matchup of Iowa State (6-6, 3-5 Big 12) and Minnesota (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten) that sat dead last in ratings among all post season bowls with a 0.4 rating, thanks to the game being relegated to the NFL Network.

With the Insight Bowl’s move to primetime on ESPN and the infusion of cash, they now hold the 3rd selection (after BCS selections) from the Big 12, and alternate with the Gator Bowl for the 3rd and 4th selection from the Big Ten thanks to the increased payout of $6.65 million. A frightening prospect for fellow AQ conferences when you consider that the Big Ten is already raking in mountains of millions from its existing bowl lineup and the Big Ten Network.

Now the real question for the Insight Bowl is whether the Los Spartans or the Los Wildcats will be representing the Big Ten.