Hyundai extends Sun Bowl sponsorship, game moved to Dec. 27
The Sun Bowl Association and Hyundai Motor America announced on Monday the extension of their partnership for six more years.
The extension makes the title sponsorship the longest running agreement for the nation’s second oldest bowl game.
It was also announced on Monday that the Sun Bowl will be played on Saturday, Dec. 27 this year instead of on New Year’s Eve.
The game has been played on New Year’s Eve for seven straight years and 16 years since 1994.
The 81st Hyundai Sun Bowl will pit teams from the Pac-12 and ACC in a new selection format.
“We are grateful to the good people at Hyundai Motor America and, certainly, Oscar Leeser for continuing their support of the Sun Bowl and El Paso,” said Walker Crowson, Sun Bowl Association President. “Our new sponsorship agreement with Hyundai allows the Sun Bowl to continue to host El Paso’s biggest event and position our game for future growth and success. We have been so pleased with our relationship with Hyundai and are excited to continue to work with Hyundai and Oscar for another six years.”
The six-year agreement runs in conjunction with contract renewals with the Pac-12 Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) set through 2019.
“I have always wanted to make a difference in my community, and I believe through my sponsorship of the Sun Bowl game, we are doing just that,” said Mayor Oscar Leeser, owner of Hyundai of El Paso. “The Hyundai Sun Bowl produces the largest economic impact of any annual event in El Paso, and I am proud to be able to help ensure that the Hyundai Sun Bowl continues to have a significant impact on the El Paso economy.
The Hyundai Sun Bowl Football Selection Committee will share the third through sixth selections from the ACC with the Belk Bowl, the New Era Pinstripe Bowl and either the Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl or the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. The Discover Orange Bowl will continue to have the conference champion or the first selection followed by the Russell Athletic Bowl.
On the Pac-12 side, the Hyundai Sun Bowl will have the fourth selection following the newly-formed College Football Playoff.
“The success of events like the Hyundai Sun Bowl in El Paso is attributed to the monumental support of sponsors like Hyundai Motor America and Mayor Oscar Leeser,” said Bernie Olivas, Executive Director of the Sun Bowl Association. “We are delighted to continue our relationship with a sponsor that understands the positive impact the game brings to our community. The contract extensions with the conferences and Hyundai ensure more years of exciting football matchups in El Paso and we couldn’t be more thrilled to continue this tradition.”
