DETROIT – The Detroit Lions announced today a multiyear-extension agreement with Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center renewing Quick Lane as title sponsor for the annual bowl game held at Ford Field. The renewal will guarantee Quick Lane naming rights of the bowl game through 2019.
The Quick Lane Bowl was established in 2014. This year's game is scheduled for Monday, December 26 at 2:30 PM. The Quick Lane Bowl will air nationally on ESPN and is programmed to feature teams from the Big Ten and ACC conferences.
"We are so proud of this annual event which brings national attention to the city of Detroit that we are committing to another multi-year sponsorship," said Brett Wheatley, executive director, North America, Ford Customer Service Division. "This partnership both builds awareness of the great service people can get at Quick Lane Tire and Auto centers and delivers something we know football fans appreciate; a great game!"
The 2015 game saw a victory for the University of Minnesota Gophers over the Central Michigan University Chippewas, representing the MAC conference, 21-14. The MVP of the game, UMN's QB Mitch Leidner, led a comeback in the fourth quarter running 13 yards for a touchdown with 4:26 remaining.
In the inaugural game (2014), the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights defeated the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, 40-21. Current Detroit Lions FB Michael Burton played a prominent role in the victory, helping to pave the way for 340 team rushing yards for Rutgers. Burton's performance in the Quick Lane Bowl was a key factor in the Lions' decision to select him in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
"We are very excited to be extending our bowl game's title sponsor agreement with Quick Lane for an additional three years," said Detroit Lions President Rod Wood. "Quick Lane has been a great partner as we've worked collaboratively to build upon the game's success each year. We look forward to continuing our shared mission of making Detroit a college bowl destination."
The Detroit Lions are the only NFL team to own, host and operate a college football bowl game. The team's entertainment division, DLI Entertainment, has promoted multiple large-scale shows and events at Ford Field, including seven consecutive sold-out Kenny Chesney concerts, Taylor Swift, the 2003 Basketbowl, 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Regionals, 2009 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four and the 2010 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Frozen Four.
Tickets for the game are available for purchase at quicklanebowl.com or by calling 877.212.8898.
