In case you're wondering how the Motor City Bowl is doing these days with Michigan's economy running like an anemic hamster on an exercise wheel, the answer is "Not so hot." Chrysler used to be one of the bowl's big sponsors, but dropped out a while back. General Motors is too busy trying to get out of bankruptcy to muck about with bowl games. Ford's still in the picture, but crikey, are there any Detroit-area businesses healthy enough to save the Motor City Bowl?Yes yes.
Little Caesars Pizza, long-time friend of cash-strapped college students, is entertaining the thought of becoming the game's sponsor, and their sponsorship could lead to a new name for college football's most maligned bowl game. But what will they call it?
Motor City Bowl CEO George Perles, the former Michigan State coach, suggested to Detroit's WWJ radio that the bowl might be called the Little Caesars Pizza Pizza Bowl, though the Detroit Free Press's Mark Snyder finds that unlikely since the company doesn't use that slogan any more.
Drop one "pizza" from the name, though, and you get the slightly less ridiculous Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, which still sounds a little like a failed menu item.
No name change is imminent, particularly since Little Caesars hasn't actually committed to sponsorship yet. However, Little Caesars founder Mike Ilitch (pictured above) has a long connection with Detroit area sports. He owns both the Tigers and the Red Wings, so if the Motor City Bowl needs a hero (which they swear they don't), Ilitch would be on anybody's short list.
We already have a Papajohns.com Bowl, so the thought of another pizza-themed bowl game isn't so far-fetched. After all, for the fan at home, carryout pizza is a frequent companion to a day full of college football.
But please, Mr. Ilitch, if you're going to rename the bowl, don't go nuts. While I've often been thankful for the instant availability of pepperoni pizzas at your stores, I just don't think the world can handle the Little Caesars HOT-N-READY Bowl.
(Hat tip: Blog Ten)
