The Bahamas Bowl got a major lift on Tuesday night, as Elk Grove Village announced it was the new title sponsor of the game. According to the northwest suburb, it is the first time a non-tourist city has sponsored a bowl game.
The game will now officially be known as the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl. “Makers Wanted” is Elk Grove Village’s business slogan.
“Elk Grove Village is home to the largest industrial park in the United States, spurred by our village’s commitment to being beyond business-friendly,” said Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson.
“Our relationship with the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl and ESPN Events is a perfect opportunity to use college football to share our message with the entire country.
“We were impressed by how the bowl game has been developed in The Bahamas over the past four years, and we share in the excitement that this event brings to their community.”
Richard Giannini, bowl game executive director added: “It is a unique sponsorship that allows Elk Grove Village and its thriving business community to take the Makers Wanted message to a national audience on ESPN.”
The 2018 Bahamas Bowl is set for December 21 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, and will be broadcast on ESPN.
The Bahamas Bowl is owned and operated by ESPN Event and features teams from the Mid-American Conference and Conference USA. Popeyes was title sponsors for the first two years of the event (2014-2016). Last year’s game went on without a title sponsor.