Rob Gronkowski Joins Bowl Game in Groundbreaking Naming Rights Deal

Rob Gronkowski now can add bowl game impresario to his list of accomplishments. The LA Bowl announced it has agreed to a multiyear deal with the former Patriots and Buccaneers tight end to name the event The LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk.

Gronkowski becomes the first former player to get a bowl game named after him.

The LA Bowl, which is played annually in SoFi Stadium, was created two years ago with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel as the initial sponsor. It features a matchup of teams from the Mountain West and Pac-12. Utah State beat Oregon State in 2021, and Fresno State defeated Washington State last year.

As the Pac-12 is losing 10 teams next year, the games’s conference ties will be revisited after this season.

The Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl had features specifically tailored to Kimmel, including a camel named “Jimmy Camel” that served as the bowl’s mascot.

“Jimmy was a fantastic host and brought a lot of elements to the game. But it’s my turn now, and I’m going to turn it up, that’s for sure,” Gronkowski said, via the Associated Press.

Gronkowski attended the University of Arizona, and the former tight end said “the whole goal” is for the Wildcats to play in this bowl game.

The LA Bowl Hosted by Gronk will take place on Dec. 16 in Inglewood, Calif.