Southwestern Bell Kicks Off Cotton Bowl Classic Affiliation, Agrees To Title Sponsorship Through Year 2000
Whoa, Nellie! Southwestern Bell Gives Cotton Bowl New Life
Dallas, Texas, September 18, 1996
The Cotton Bowl Athletic Association announced Southwestern Bell will serve as Title Sponsor of one of college football's most storied New Year's Day bowl games, the 60-year-old Cotton Bowl, through the year 2000. The four-year, $5.2 million sponsorship was announced at a news conference today by representatives of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association and Southwestern Bell, whose parent company is based in San Antonio.
"This is a tremendous day in the history of the Cotton Bowl Classic!" said W. Mike Baggett, Chairman of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. "Our Board of Directors have been through an extensive search during the last year to find the perfect partner to carry us into the 21st Century. Southwestern Bell answered the call."
Southwestern Bell succeeds Mobil Corporation as the Cotton Bowl's only previous title sponsor and will assume its role beginning with the 1997 Cotton Bowl Classic game following the conclusion of the current college football season.
"Our game had reached a crossroads. We needed someone to show faith and confidence in the Cotton Bowl and everything it stands for in collegiate athletics and higher education. That's when we turned to another great Texas institution for support. Thanks to Southwestern Bell, our game is stable and primed for a long and rewarding future," said Baggett.
The Southwestern Bell Cotton Bowl Classic will pit the new Big 12 Conference's first selection after the Bowl Alliance, against the Champion of the Western Athletic Conference or the first selection from the Pacific-10 Conference once the Alliance and Rose Bowl berths have been determined.
"Today, Southwestern Bell pays tribute to the history and prestige of the Cotton Bowl by making a commitment to its future," said Tom Morgan, Southwestern Bell Regional President - Dallas. "It's only fitting that a Texas company take the lead in support of an institution such as the Cotton Bowl Classic, one that, like Southwestern Bell, embodies the spirit of Texas -- fair play, hard work and dedication to be the best."
The Southwestern Bell Cotton Bowl Classic will be played on New Year's Day, 1997, at the historic Cotton Bowl in Fair Park, just minutes from downtown Dallas, and will be televised live on CBS. The game's television right's holder is Liberty Sports, soon to become Fox Sports Net. The Cotton Bowl is one of four original New Year's Day bowl games and is regarded as one of the most important sports events in Texas.
"This is an investment in the community. It's to perpetuate a tradition. It's to continue the dream of thousands of Texas youngsters playing football in their back yards, hoping someday to play in the Southwestern Bell Cotton Bowl Classic on New Year's Day," said David Cole, Southwestern Bell President - Texas.
The Cotton Bowl Athletic Association is a not-for-profit organization governed by a board made up of civic and business leaders.
SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE:SBC) is one of the world's leading
diversified telecommunications companies and the second largest
wireless communications company based in the United States. SBC
provides innovative telecommunications products and services under
the Southwestern Bell and Cellular One brands. Its businesses
include wireless and wireless services and equipment in the United
States and interests in wireless businesses in Europe, Latin America,
South Africa and Asia; cable television in both domestic and international
markets; and directory advertising and publishing.
