The Never Ending Football Bowl Naming Game

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Many years ago I remember the love-hate relationship that came with the Christmas and New Years holidays. You loved it because of the holidays and the excitement that went with those celebrations.

The kids anxiously awaiting the Christmas gifts and the adults waiting for the parties. I remember the plans for New Year’s Day and how we were going to watch all the bowl games we could because that was the end of the college football season.

What? You didn’t know that there was a time that New Year’s Day officially ended the college football season. Well, this was not like the Olive Garden’s never ending pasta bowl, not at all. In fact, there was a time that the bowl games actually had a single, easy to remember name that stayed the same every year and had nothing to do with commercial endorsements. Yep, that’s a fact.

Just so the younguns’ out there might know that certain bowl games were held with a great deal of pride and distinction, consider the following: By 1940 there were only 5 bowl games and they were the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl, and the Sun Bowl with the Rose Bowl being the oldest. By 1960 there were still only 8 bowl games and 11 by 1970. The number had increased to 15 by 1980 and 25 by the year 2000.

Considering that bowl games are used to increase tourism and bring income to the area that is hosting them it seems a reasonable choice to use a football bowl games to bring in business. What really became a game changer (pun intended) and has made it really hard to keep up with the bowl games, other than the sheer numbers (35) is the fact that commercial sponsors are adding their names to the bowl games. This thing has gotten just a little bit out of hand.

For many years everyone in the South Eastern Conference looked forward to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Just something about that sounds great. There was something about the thought about walking down the middle of Bourbon Street drink in hand celebrating about going to the game, and celebrating about just leaving the game. Now it is the Allstate Insurance Sugar Bowl, and I’m sorry, that just takes something out of that thrill. I mean do I really want to be reminded about insurance as I am downing Hand Grenades at the Tropic Isle?

Everyone in lower Georgia and Northeast Florida knows about the Gator Bowl. Site of the South’s largest cocktail party when Georgia and Florida play there. It sort of loses some of its bite when its name is now the Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl. Hey, come on, we know tax season has just begun, but do they really have to screw up the the party by reminding us?

One of the older bowls, the Sun Bowl is now the Hyundai Sun Bowl as if we are now importing sunlight from Korea. Actually this one may make sense if you think in terms of using the game as a distraction to bring illegals over the border, oh wait, that’s Mexico not Korea. Never mind.

What the heck are Koreans doing in El Paso, Texas anyway?

The point of this is why don’t we just name the bowls and leave it alone? Do any of these companies think anyone is going to buy anymore of their goods or services because they have their name on the bowl game? I don’t think so, but if I were going to it would probably be from the “Beef-O-Brady’s Bowl” St. Petersburg, FL At least I know what I am getting,…I think.

Let me know which is your favorite ridiculous sponsorship.

About Post Author

Bill Formby

Bill Formby, aka William A. Formby, PhD, aka Lazersedge is a former Marine and a former police officer. He is a retired University Educator who considers himself a moderate pragmatic progressive liberal, meaning that he thinks practically liberal, acts practically liberal, and he is not going to change in the near future. But, if he does he will be sure to let you know.
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john.bluetooth
12 years ago

I got a big laugh at your comment about what are the Koreans doing in El Paso, Texas. I also agree with you as to the ridiculous names.

Bill Formby
Reply to  john.bluetooth
12 years ago

Thank you John. That is strange isn’t it. Maybe they can help us set a De-militarized zone along the border.

AnonymousNot
12 years ago

Not being a fan I really don’t have a favorite, or non-favorite but I enjoyed the article very much.

Bill Formby
Reply to  AnonymousNot
12 years ago

Thank you AnonymousNot. At least there will be a lot of money floating around somewhere.

greenlight
12 years ago

I had no idea the “bowls” had proliferated this way. As long as they leave the NFL alone–there is something super about having a singular “Super Bowl.” 35? Sigh.

Bill Formby
Reply to  greenlight
12 years ago

Yes there is Julie. Of course they keep adding playoff games. By the way, bowl games start this Saturday.

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