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Pinellas tourism agency passes on title sponsorship for bowl game

By Steve Huettel, Times Staff Writer
Posted: May 02, 2008 08:29 PM

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Pinellas County's tourism agency won't be slapping its name on the new St. Petersburg Bowl.

ESPN — which owns the game to be played at Tropicana Field in late December — proposed a title sponsorship to Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater, said executive director D.T. Minich. But the price — between $500,000 and $600,000, he said — was a little too rich.

Instead, the agency is considering a stripped-down sponsorship along the lines of its deal with the Outback Bowl.

For around $100,000, Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater gets television spots on the Outback Bowl broadcast, ads in the fan guide, a logo displayed in Raymond James Stadium and other goodies.

Besides, St. Petersburg will remain in the new bowl's name along with the big sponsor's, like the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, said Minich.