Etihad Stadium CEO Paul Sergeant confirmed an annual American football college bowl game "will be held at the stadium" during the Australian Football League offseason for at least four years, according to Larissa Nicholson of THE AGE. Sergeant said, "American sport, let alone American college football, has a huge following in this country." Sergeant said that "Etihad had been in talks with the Pac-12 conference" (THE AGE, 5/21). XINHUA reported Sergeant said that a deal to secure four games over four years would be "massive" for Victoria. He said that "college administrators were sold on the idea of bringing the sport overseas, it was just a matter of organizing the logistics and finer details." Sergeant: "They're very keen. They see a wonderful opportunity in terms of a student athlete experience." The privately funded event "would incorporate a five day American festival, which would bring the best of American foods, music and culture to Melbourne with the bowl game" (XINHUA, 5/21). Pac-12 Public Affairs VP Erik Hardenbergh: "As a conference, we will continue to evaluate competitive opportunities that make sense for the Pac-12. This fits in this category but we have nothing further to confirm at this time" (SBD Global).
