Could the Phoenix area soon host another college football bowl game?
Dec 28, 2017, 7:04 PM
(Facebook/Fiesta Bowl)
(Facebook/Fiesta Bowl)
PHOENIX — The Phoenix area is already home to a whole host of college football bowl games, including the Cactus and Fiesta bowls, but could there be another in the Valley’s future? One Arizona official hopes so.
Mike Nealy, the executive director of the Fiesta Bowl, told KTAR News 92.3 FM that the committee has had some preliminary talks about bringing a third bowl game to the Valley.
“I think our community could support three bowl games,” Nealy said. He added that Arizona State University has been willing to host a bowl game in the past and Tempe has been “very good about hosting games.”
“The opportunity to host games there is always on the list,” he said.
The university’s football stadium, Sun Devil Stadium, has underwent a series of renovations that topped $300 million in an effort to make the venue a year-round activities hub. Now that those are complete, Nealy said the venue would be well-suited to host a college football bowl game.
“We certainly want [a bowl game],” he said. “We are talking to help to work out what would make that a reality.”
Bowl games are major draws for fans, generate millions in revenue for the Valley and showcase all that the region has to offer. Nealy said the future of college football bowl games in the area is already bright and is getting even brighter.
“The future is going to be strong,” Nealy said. “Regardless of which direction the collegiate football playoff system goes, I think we’ll always be there as one of the major players.”
KTAR News’ Tom Perumean contributed to this report.
