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Last Updated on December 29, 2021
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced a multiyear agreement renewing its title sponsorship of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
This year, the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic hosts the College Football Playoff Semifinal game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Cincinnati Bearcats. As part of the “New Year’s Six,” the bowl hosts a semifinal game every three years. In other years, it plays host to other top teams in the Top 12 of the CFP’s rankings.
“Since 2014, Goodyear has been an incredible partner for our game,” said Bry Patton, Chairman of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. “This sponsorship extension demonstrates a history of shared values between Goodyear and the Cotton Bowl Classic, as we strive towards providing college football fans with an unforgettable experience year after year.”
“Much like the Cotton Bowl, Goodyear has long been connected to college football by enhancing the gameday experience, whether it’s through aerial coverage from the blimp or the larger-than-life tire art statues” said Todd Macsuga, general manager, Brand Marketing, Goodyear North America. “This agreement is a continuation of our commitment to the sport and allows us to celebrate the drive it takes to compete in college football’s biggest matchups for years to come.”
In what has become an annual tradition, Goodyear has created mascot statues of the participating teams made from its tires.
This year’s tire art statues feature The University of Alabama mascot, Big Al, and University of Cincinnati’s mascot, the Bearcat. Each statute stands nearly seven feet tall and weighs more than 200 pounds. It took over 300 Goodyear tires and 14,000 hidden staples to create these statues.
Artist and former minor league baseball player Blake McFarland handcrafted the statues for the fifth consecutive year. The statues will serve as centerpieces for many of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic festivities leading up to this year’s game.
In addition to renewing its bowl sponsorship, Goodyear extended its agreement with Disney Advertising Sales on behalf of ESPN to be the preferred aerial coverage provider for college football and the exclusive aerial coverage provider of the College Football Playoff Semifinals and National Championship on ESPN.
The 86th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic kicks off on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 31 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
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