SoFi Stadium Partners With Rob Gronkowski to Rename Bowl Game, LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk
INGLEWOOD, CALIF. (October 21, 2023) – SoFi Stadium and four-time Super Bowl Champion Rob Gronkowski entered into a multi-year agreement to rename LA Bowl, SoFi Stadium’s owned and operated college bowl game, LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk. The bowl game, which was previously named the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl, will see Gronkowski taking over hosting duties from late night host Jimmy Kimmel. LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk is an annual collegiate football bowl game held at SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, in Inglewood, Calif. The game features the Mountain West’s No. 1 selection versus the Pac-12’s No. 5 selection, after CFP selection.
Bringing his unique style and flair back to college football, Gronkowski will serve as the official host of the game. He’ll kick off game day with a specialized grand entrance, preside over the coin toss and close out the night with the trophy presentation. At the trophy presentation, Gronkowski will present the winning team with the bowl game’s one-of-a-kind LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk championship belt. Gronkowski is also developing a special performance for fans in attendance on December 16 and more details will be shared at a later date. The Gronkowski family business, Gronk Fitness, and Chris Gronkowski and his brother’s company, Ice Shaker, will also be partnering with LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk. Gronk Fitness and Ice Shaker will be featured throughout bowl week and during the game.
This partnership further cements Gronkowski’s presence and influence as a leader in sports marketing, and will focus on expanding his reach, as well as the family brands, into college sports. The agreement marks a return to the LA Bowl for Gronkowski. During his college career at the University of Arizona, Gronkowski played in the then Las Vegas Bowl; its conference match-up was relocated to Los Angeles and renamed LA Bowl in 2020.
“Football has brought me so many incredible opportunities, and I’m thrilled to return to college football as the host of my very own bowl game,” said Rob Gronkowski. “We are going to light up college football bowl season. This game is going to be epic, so I better see everyone at the LA Bowl Hosted by Gronk at SoFi Stadium on December 16!”
In addition, Gronkowski will design and debut a custom item of LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk merchandise for fans, as well as work with SoFi Stadium’s culinary team to create food and beverage specials for the game. Fans will also have the opportunity to compete against the five-time Pro Bowler. LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk will work hand-in-hand with Gronkowski to develop an in-game contest that pits the NFL legend against college football fans.
“Rob is larger than life and an outstanding representation of football at the highest level,” said Chris Sloan, head of global partnerships, SoFi Stadium, Hollywood Park and LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk. “The LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk continues to merge the world of competitive sports with top-notch entertainment, and we cannot wait for the fans to experience college bowl season with Rob Gronkowski.”
This partnership returns Gronkowski to his college football days, paying homage to the timeless tradition of college bowl games. Gronkowski and his brother Chris Gronkowski played in the Las Vegas Bowl, its match-up is now at the LA Bowl, during their college careers. In 2008, the Mountain West sent Brigham Young University (BYU), their second-place team and the No. 16th nationally ranked team according to USA Today’s Football Coaches Poll that year, to face off against the University of Arizona’s Wildcats. Gronkowski and the Arizona Wildcats took down BYU, 31-21, with Chris Gronkowski catching a 24-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to help cement Arizona’s lead. At the time, this win marked the school’s first bowl victory in a decade and first winning season in nine years.
As in years past, LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk will have a fun and interactive week of events onsite at Hollywood Park in the lead up to the game. This includes a Pep Rally, a Fan Fest, and more. The Pep Rally, which takes place the night before kickoff, is free and open to the public. Fans of all ages can gather to cheer on their teams ahead of the big game alongside the school’s cheerleaders, bands, and mascots. On game day, fans are encouraged to arrive early for the Fan Fest before the third annual LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk. American Airlines Plaza will be transformed into an exciting pregame tailgate atmosphere and will feature music, food trucks, photo opportunities, both teams’ cheerleaders and bands, plus much more to rally fans before kickoff.
LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk is committed to providing support for underserved youth through its pillars of education, health, wellness and physical activity year-round. The bowl game’s continuous work with nonprofit organizations such as One For All Kids, Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles and Boys & Girls Club of LA Harbor focuses on key initiatives, such as youth literacy, STEAM education, physical activity and career exploration. Additionally, Gronkowski will highlight his foundation, Gronk Nation Youth Foundation.
Additional LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk partners include: Four Roses Bourbon, TrophySmack, Universal Studios Hollywood, JR286, Roll Em Up and more.
For more information about the LA Bowl Hosted by Gronk and to purchase tickets and suites, visit www.LABowlGame.com and visit @LABowlGame on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
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ABOUT LA BOWL HOSTED BY GRONK
The LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk is an annual collegiate football bowl game held at SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, in Inglewood, Calif. SoFi Stadium is the centerpiece of Hollywood Park, a near 300-acre mixed-use development being built by Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke. Owned and operated by SoFi Stadium, LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk features the Mountain West’s No. 1 selection versus the Pac-12’s No. 5 selection, after the CFP selection. In addition to the matchup, LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk hosts a series of events for the teams, their families, fans and locals in the week leading up to the game, as well as year-round activities that engage the local community. For more information about the LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk, including ticketing, go to www.LABowlGame.com and visit @LABowlGame on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
ABOUT ROB GRONKOWSKI
Regarded as one of the greatest tight ends of all time, Rob Gronkowski had two stints in the NFL, beginning with the New England Patriots (2010-2018). Gronkowski won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, and was named to five Pro Bowls, four First-team All-Pro’s, and won the NFL Comeback player of the Year in nine years with the team. After a brief retirement in 2019, Gronkowski returned to the NFL and spent two seasons in Tampa Bay (2020-2021) with his former quarterback, Tom Brady. Gronkowski won his fourth Super Bowl in 2021 with the Buccaneers. Before the end of his NFL tenure, he was named on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. He officially retired in 2022 after an 11-year career, ending with 92 touchdowns, 621 receptions, and over 9,200 yards. Off the field, Gronkowski works with the community through the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation. He focuses on inspiring youth to reach their maximum potential through sports, education, community, and fitness. Gronk and his brothers also operate Gronk Fitness, a business that sells Gronk-branded gym equipment.