Valley of the Sun Bowl Announces Buffalo Wild Wings As New Title Sponsor

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Valley of the Sun Bowl Foundation and Buffalo Wild Wings® announced today that an agreement has been reached establishing Buffalo Wild Wings as the title sponsor of the annual Tempe, Ariz. bowl game between the Big Ten and Big 12 conferences. The game will be known as "Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl."

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120723/DC44342LOGO )

The 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl will kick off on Saturday, December 29 at 8:15 p.m. MST. ESPN will broadcast the game, operated by the Valley of the Sun Bowl Foundation. This year, the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl will match the third selection from the Big 12 against the fourth pick from the Big Ten, after BCS selections.  Buffalo Wild Wings replaces Tempe-based Insight Enterprises, Inc. as the title sponsor of the game, in its 24^th season.

"Buffalo Wild Wings has become a brand for the fans and now we'll be bringing our unique Buffalo Wild Wings experience to college football fans across the country," said Kathy Benning, executive vice president global marketing and brand development at Buffalo Wild Wings. "We look forward to entering the college bowl arena as the title sponsor of this progressive property.  It aligns our growing brands and provides tremendous new opportunity to interact with our guests, who we know are passionate about football."

In conjunction with this new partnership, a new game mark and trophy will be created and incorporated into all game materials.  The multi-year agreement contains provisions that promote integration of the Buffalo Wild Wings brand across multiple platforms and exclusive category rights. 

"We are pleased to welcome Buffalo Wild Wings as a partner," said Steve Whiteman, Valley of the Sun Bowl Foundation board chairman. "They provide a natural opportunity for us to offer college football fans a truly memorable game experience.  Buffalo Wild Wings shares our commitment to give back to the community, and their dedication to excellence and focus fit closely with our mission."  

That mission includes generating revenue for Arizona's economy. The 2010 game produced $84.6 million in economic impact, according to a survey by Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School of Business.

For more information or tickets visit www.buffalowildwingsbowl.com

ABOUT VALLEY OF THE SUN BOWL FOUNDATION
Founded in Tucson in 1989 as the Copper Bowl, the game moved to Phoenix's Chase Field in 2000, then to Tempe's Sun Devil Stadium in 2006. The Valley of the Sun Bowl Foundation increased the combined payout of the bowl to $6.65 million in 2010; in each of the last two years, the bowl has set attendance records and seen TV ratings increases.  

ABOUT BUFFALO WILD WINGS, INC.
Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc., founded in 1982 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a growing owner, operator and franchisor of Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants featuring a variety of boldly-flavored, made-to-order menu items including its namesake Buffalo, New York-style chicken wings.   The Buffalo Wild Wings' menu specializes in twenty mouth-watering signature sauces and seasonings with flavor sensations ranging from Sweet BBQ^™ to Blazin'^®. Guests enjoy a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere that includes an extensive multi-media system for watching their favorite sporting events.  Buffalo Wild Wings is the recipient of hundreds of "Best Wings" and "Best Sports Bar" awards from across the country. There are currently over 835 Buffalo Wild Wings locations across 48 states in the United States, as well as in Canada.

SOURCE Valley of the Sun Bowl Foundation