American General Life & Accident Insurance Co. has
notified Music City Bowl officials that the company is
"pulling its financial support" of the event, according to
Joe Biddle of the Nashville TENNESSEAN. Despite losing its
title sponsor "after just one year," officials say the bowl
game "is not in jeopardy." American General had a one-year
deal with a two-year option and chose not to renew, as its
board of directors wants to "concentrate more advertising
dollars toward national sporting events." American General
CEO Joe Kelley stated "the bowl was successful" and
maintained that the action was "purely a business decision."
Kelley noted that American General spent $2.7M on
advertising around the World Series post-game show at a cost
of "just over" $6 per million viewers reached, while its
sponsorship of the Music City Bowl cost the company $33 per
million viewers reached. Kelley said the company is
"looking at golfing events" and "other national televised
sports venues" for its advertising dollars. Music City Bowl
Dir Scott Ramsey said that he remains "optimistic about the
future of the game" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 2/18).
