‘Light It Up’: Gronkowski, Replacing Jimmy Kimmel, Now Has His Own CFB Bowl Game
Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 11:04AM By Barry Janoff
UPDATED December 1, 2023: The LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk named Starco Brands, a Los Angeles-based consumer goods company, its naming rights partner. As part of the agreement, the collegiate football bowl game owned and operated by SoFi Stadium, will be known as the Starco Brands LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk. The game is scheduled for Dec. 16 in SoFi Stadium.
October 21, 2023: Rob Gronkowski has won four Super Bowls, written a New York Times Bestseller book, worked as a TV football analyst, hosted WrestleMania 36 and the Kids’ Choice Awards and appeared in numerous films and commercials.
Now he can add college football “naming rights” to his resume.
Representatives from SoFi Stadium and the college football LA Bowl said today that Gronkowski has signed a multi-year agreement to partner with the post-season game.
The third annual game, now-named The LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk, is scheduled for SoFi Stadium — home to the NFL Los Angeles Rans and Los Angeles Chargers — on Dec. 16 featuring teams from the Mountain West and Pac-12 conferences.
It was previously known as The Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl Presented By Stifel.
Financial details were not released.
“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,” Gronkowski said via the LA Bowl. “We are going to light up college football bowl season.”
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.
LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk partners also include Four Roses Bourbon, TrophySmack, Universal Studios Hollywood, JR286 and Roll Em Up, with additional brands expected.
A high-energy promo spot, "LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk," shows Gronkowski entering a locker room in SoFi Stadium, grabbing the LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk championship belt and walking onto the field. “It’s Gronk’s turn now,” he says. Envisioning a filled stadium and action on game day, he adds, “I could get used to this.”
The LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk said it would continue to work with nonprofit organizations, including 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.
This year, Gronkowski will also highlight his foundation, Gronk Nation Youth Foundation.
“Rob is larger than life and an outstanding representation of football at the highest level,” Chris Sloan, head of global partnerships, SoFi Stadium, Hollywood Park and LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk, said via the group.
“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.” 
Among his planned duties, Gronkowski will begin game day with a specialized grand entrance, preside over the coin toss and close out the night with the trophy presentation, handing the winning team the LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk championship belt.
Gronkowski is also developing a “special performance for fans in attendance,” and LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk is planning an interactive week of events onsite at Hollywood Park in the lead up to the games.
On game day, people are being encouraged to arrive early for a Fan Fest in American Airlines Plaza, which is scheduled to feature music, food trucks, photo opportunities, both teams’ cheerleaders and bands, with more details will be shared as the game approaches.
“This game is going to be epic,” said Gronkowsi, “so I better see everyone at the LA Bowl Hosted by Gronk at SoFi Stadium on Dec.16!”
Gronkowski, who played college football at the University of Arizona, won four Super Bowls during his NFL playing career, three with the New England Patriots (XLIX, LI, LIII) and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (LV).
He is a member of the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
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