TUCSON, Arizona (13 News) – Pima County may be returning to football business.
On Tuesday, the Supervisory Board could vote on whether the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl $27,500 in external funding as part of the game’s new sponsorship.
It ended its financial relationship with the bowl game in 2021 in protest against the then title sponsor Barstool Sports, which withheld $40,000 that it normally paid to the game’s sponsors and accused the company of sexism and misogyny.
With a new sponsor, the district is getting back into the game.
The game, which is scheduled to take place on December 28 at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, is sponsored by Spirits company Gin&Juice.
It will be the first time an alcohol company has sponsored a college bowl game. The NCAA lifted its ban on such sponsorships in 2022.
“The rules have been changed,” said Dr. Matt Heinz, Pima County Executive. “This is not somehow inconsistent with the existing rules, they have been changed.”
It is estimated that alcohol is served at nearly 80% of major college events, but this will be the first sponsorship.
“I think there is cross-party agreement that this is simply not a problem, it’s OK,” Heinz said. “Of course, I’m a doctor and I ask everyone to drink responsibly, but I don’t see this as a problem.”
The three-year sponsorship deal with Gin&Juice By Dre and Snoop is likely a good catch for the Bowl, which will increase the game’s awareness and increase interest and profits.
A portion of the money goes to youth sports and activities in Pima County. Snoop Dogg runs a charity in Los Angeles that serves 60,000 children, so his appearance here aligns with the county’s goals.
“Part of our constitutional mandate and our role as a county government is to do everything in our power to improve the economic conditions of our residents, to work on economic development issues, and that includes tourism,” Heinz said.
This event will pump nearly $4 million into the local economy for a small county investment.
“I think it’s very appropriate for the county government to get involved,” Heinz said. “Plus, we have a $1.7 billion budget and we’re talking about $27,000 here, so let’s just put that in context.”
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