The Sun Bowl in '19 will align with Tony the Tiger's "Mission Tiger" initiative to raise awareness and fundsSUN BOWL
Kellogg's Frosted Flakes will be the "title sponsor of the newly-named Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl," with the multiyear partnership "marked by Tony the Tiger being the first mascot to lend his name to a college football bowl game," according to Aaron Bedoya of the EL PASO TIMES. The sponsorship agreement between the Sun Bowl Association and Frosted Flakes was "brokered by Denver-based Impression Sports & Entertainment." Tony the Tiger is "returning the Sun Bowl to its inaugural mission -- helping kids play sports -- something that hasn't been a focus since the birth of the Sun Bowl." The Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl in '19 will "align with Tony's 'Mission Tiger' initiative, raising awareness and funds for at-risk middle school sports programs through a multiyear partnership with nonprofit DonorsChoose.org" (EL PASO TIMES, 8/21). AD AGE's Jessica Wohl noted the deal includes an "updated logo featuring the cereal mascot; digital and social media; in-stadium exposure for the brand; product sampling and on-site activation at the game" (ADAGE.com, 8/20).
NEW CLUBHOUSE LEADER: SI.com's Khadrice Rollins wrote the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl is "easily the greatest bowl name and sponsorship deal since the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl" from '14-16 (SI.com, 8/20). YAHOO SPORTS' Nick Bromberg wrote the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl now has "some competition when it comes to the goofiest college football bowl game name" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/20). AL.com's Creg Stephenson wrote, "Step aside, Cheez-It Bowl. Checkmate, Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl" (AL.com, 8/20).
WHAT'S NEXT? In Louisiana, Scott Ferrell reported Independence Bowl Chair Art Carmody is "looking for a title sponsor" for the bowl after Walk-On's Bistreaux and Bar announced its decision "not to pick up its option" for '20 and '21. Due to their "history with sponsor turnover," the Independence Bowl had a "title sponsor search committee ready to go." Carmody said that the bowl will also "utilize a third party search firm to assist the bowl in its hunt for a title sponsor." There was a time when the Independence Bowl "desired a regional sponsor," but the "potential targets in Louisiana are shrinking." The hope of Carmody and the Independence Bowl is to have a "quick and successful search for the next title sponsor." Carmody: "The goal would be to have something wrapped up once we transition from the 2019 game to the 2020 game" (Shreveport TIMES, 8/16).
