Sponsors drop in and drop out of college football bowls, leaving some very odd official names in the sports history books.
Progressive Gator Bowl (2011)
The Gator Bowl has been played for decades, but in 2011 insurance company Progressive bought the “sponsor rights.” The resulting name makes it sound like the game was paid for by a politically liberal alligator.
Gotham Bowl (1961-1962)
“Gotham” is a nickname for New York City. But it’s much more commonly known as the name of the crime-and-villain-riddled place where Batman stalks in the night…and which serves as a stand-in for New York City. Unfortunately, nobody played in Batman or Riddler-themed uniforms.
Visit Florida Tangerine Bowl (2001)
Held in Orlando, a tourist destination, the Florida Commission on Tourism sponsored this bowl. It also marks probably the only time a college bowl game had a verb for a name.
Popeyes Bahamas Bowl (2014-2016)
While most bowl games are played in sunny climates — so attending is like a mini-vacation for players and fans — this is one of the few played in a temperate place outside of the U.S. The Chinese government paid for the construction of Robinson Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas, and chicken chain Popeyes sponsored the game. Oddly, there are no Popeyes locations in the Bahamas.
Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl (2018)
Makers Wanted isn’t a company, but the slogan of Elk Grove Village, a Chicago suburb that’s home to the largest and oldest continually operating industrial park in the United States. Community leaders bought the naming rights to the Bahamas Bowl to recruit companies and workers.
BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl (2015)
It’s a sporting event sponsored by…another sporting event? BattleFrog is a series of extreme obstacle courses and endurance tests.
Duck Commander Independence Bowl (2014)
Just how popular was the reality show Duck Dynasty a few years ago? It made business boom for the stars of the show, operators of a hunting gear company called Duck Commander, so much so that they could afford to sponsor a major college bowl game.