Saccenti said that Mitsubishi is interested in extending its title sponsorship to the new bowl game venueCHRIS MAATHUIS
The ESPN Events-owned Las Vegas Bowl has "dumped its affiliation with the Mountain West Conference and will feature a match-up of the Pac-12's number two finisher and a rotation between the SEC's number three school and the Big Ten's number three," according to Alan Snel of LVSPORTSBIZ.com. The change will go into effect starting in December '20, when the bowl game "shifts to the new Raiders domed stadium from Sam Boyd Stadium." Raiders President Marc Badain "predicted the Las Vegas Bowl arrangement will start a trend of rotating college football conferences affiliated with a bowl game." The new six-year deal runs from '20-25, with the SEC playing the Pac-12 in '20, '22 and '24, while the Pac-12 and Big Ten will play in '21, '23 and '25. Las Vegas Bowl Exec Dir John Saccenti said that the new bowl game arrangement "could open the door to Las Vegas hosting a national championship game or early-season non-conference games." Saccenti also said that Mitsubishi Motors is "interested in extending its title sponsorship to the new bowl game venue." Badain said that the "first crack" at the Raiders stadium hosting a CFP title game is '26, while the Raiders are "trying to get a Super Bowl for Las Vegas" in '25 (LVSPORTSBIZ.com, 6/4).
BIG STEP FORWARD: In Las Vegas, Case Keefer notes the Las Vegas Bowl for the first time is now "guaranteed to be a matchup between a pair of Power Five conference teams." Badain noted that the Las Vegas Bowl is the "first non-Raiders, non-UNLV major event slated for the stadium." The Las Vegas Bowl will be "strategically placed annually on the best date between Christmas and New Year's Day." The new contract ends the bowl game's 19-year relationship with the MWC, though Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said that the conference had "plans to continue its matchup" against the MWC's champion at a "to-be-announced location" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 6/5). Also in Las Vegas, Ed Graney writes the city is "now viewed across the college football landscape" as a "major player." Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany said the revamped Las Vegas Bowl is "definitely a major step forward in the college football community, including the College Football Playoff" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 6/5).
RUNNING IT BACK: In Memphis, Evan Barnes reports the SEC, Big 12 and AutoZone "will be sticking with the Liberty Bowl" through '25 after the two conferences yesterday announced a six-year agreement to "remain tied to the annual game." Meanwhile, AutoZone "extended its title sponsorship agreement for six years" through the '25. AutoZone's current agreement with the Liberty Bowl "was set to end" after the '19 season (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 6/5).
