GMAC Bowl Moves to January

Bowl Officials announced today that this year’s 8th Annual GMAC Bowl has been rescheduled for Sunday, January 7, 2007 beginning at 8 p.m. EST at Ladd Stadium.

The GMAC Bowl will be shown nationally on ESPN and will feature teams from Conference USA versus the Mid American Conference or the Western Athletic Conference.

From 1999-2005, the GMAC Bowl was played on the Wednesday or Thursday prior to Christmas. The new date will provide an additional opportunity to showcase Mobile and the GMAC Bowl to the Nation.

GMAC Bowl President Jerry Silverstein said “To play in prime time the night before the BCS National Championship Game offers the City of Mobile, and the GMAC Bowl unbelievable exposure. The new date presented an opportunity that we could not afford to pass up.”

GMAC Financial Services has been a sponsor of the bowl game since its inception in 1999. During that time, GMAC has used its title sponsorship to develop a year-long college football marketing campaign reaching dozens of college campuses and thousands of students and customers interested in its financial services products.

“We are excited about the move to a January date on the college football post-season schedule,” said GMAC President Bill Muir. “Our seven-year association with the GMAC Bowl has been extended through 2010 and it will continue to serve as a key component of our overall marketing strategy and community outreach activities.”

Dave Brown, ESPN Vice President, Programming & Acquisitions
“We appreciate GMAC, the City of Mobile, and the GMAC Bowl working with ESPN to move the game to January 7. On the eve of the national championship game, we think this move will provide tremendous exposure for the GMAC Bowl, GMAC, the City of Mobile, and the participating conferences.”

Mid American Conference Commissioner Rick Chryst
“This move puts the GMAC Bowl in a unique and exciting position on the college bowl calendar for the upcoming season. The new date will allow for maximum travel planning and preparation for all the fans that will look to experience the great hospitality of Mobile, as well as provide an exceptional television platform for two outstanding teams.

“The MAC is thrilled to be entering its sixth year of affiliation with the GMAC Bowl, and looks forward to working with all of the bowl partners to make this year’s game the best yet.”

Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky
“The GMAC Bowl and Conference USA have partnered for 8 years, and both have seen exceptional growth in that span. This move will only enhance our partnership with the GMAC Bowl and should provide a unique Bowl experience, and ample time for our Conference teams, Students and fans to travel to Mobile”.