Jimmy Kimmel Out, Gronk In: Rob Gronkowski Takes Over Naming Rights for LA Bowl

Alex Weprin
·2 min read
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So long Jimmy Kimmel, it’s Gronk’s house now.

Former NFL star Rob Gronkowski is taking over the naming rights to the LA Bowl, the college football gown game owned and operated by SoFi Stadium.

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The bowl game — which will see the Mountain West’s No. 1 selection face off against the Pac-12’s No. 5 selection — will now be called the “LA Bowl Hosted by Gronk.”

Gronkowski is taking over the naming rights from ABC late night host Jimmy Kimmel, who had hosted the game for the past two years. The game used to be called the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl.

Kimmel made the bowl game a bit on his ABC talk show, creating an official mascot (“Jimmy Camel,” a vomiting camel) and an official sandwich for the game (and creating segments for the show in the process).

Now it’s Gronk’s turn, with the former Patriots star making a grand entrance to the game, presiding over the coin toss and presenting the winner with a “one-of-a-kind LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk championship belt.” He will also develop merchandise and food for the event and is planning a performance for fans during the game.

“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 Gronkowski in a statement. “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 Dec. 16!”

“Rob is larger than life and an outstanding representation of football at the highest level,” adds 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.”

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