DETROIT – The Detroit Lions announced today a three-year extension with Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center and six-year partnerships with both the Big Ten Conference and Mid-American Conference for the Quick Lane Bowl game played annually at Ford Field.
Ford Motor Company's Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center became the title sponsor prior to the inaugural game in 2014 and will retain naming rights through 2022.
"We are thrilled to continue our support of a bowl game that has become a Detroit tradition," said Frederiek Toney, president, Global Ford Customer Service Division. "Our support of the Quick Lane Bowl game enables us to connect with people in valuable ways. Through this bowl game we are supporting young athletes and drawing people into a revitalized and vibrant downtown Detroit. It's also a unique opportunity to increase awareness of the quality services Quick Lane provides, and we appreciate that."
The Big Ten Conference, who first partnered with the Detroit Lions on the game in 2013, extends their agreement through 2025. The MAC will replace the Atlantic Coast Conference as a primary bowl partner beginning in 2020 after previously being the game's secondary partner.
"Our partnerships with Quick Lane Tire & Auto Centers as well as the Big Ten and MAC conferences have been instrumental in helping to establish a bowl game tradition in Detroit," said Detroit Lions Team President Rod Wood. "Each of them has a strong regional presence that helps make the annual game more engaging to fans statewide and accessible to fans throughout the Midwest."
"We are also very appreciative of the ACC and their participating teams for supporting the game and bringing new fans to Detroit and Ford Field."
Mid-American Conference teams have been featured in two out-of-the first five Quick Lane Bowls with Central Michigan University in 2015 and Northern Illinois University in 2017. The conference's relationship with the Detroit Lions extends back to 2004 when Ford Field began hosting the annual MAC Football Championship between their East and West Division leaders. The MAC has also been a long-term supporter of bowl games in Detroit dating back to the original Motor City Bowl (1997-2008) and Little Caesars Pizza Bowl (2009-2013).
This year's game is scheduled for Thursday, December 26 at 8 p.m. EST. The Quick Lane Bowl will air nationally on ESPN and is programmed to feature teams from the Big Ten and ACC conferences. Visit www.quicklanebowl.com for presale ticket information.
