When the game was initially proposed, the teams playing in the championship game was to include those with the best record against seven conference opponents from each division.
[18] However in August 1999 league officials changed the rule. For the inaugural contest, participation in the championship game was based on the record against the four divisional opponents only, not all conference teams.
[18][19] This format was dropped by the SWAC following the 1999 championship game in favor of the original proposal based on all league games, not only the divisional opponents.