Bill will raise state?s stake in New Mexico Bowl

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The state would increase its investment in the annual New Mexico Bowl by 10 times to $1.5 million over the next three years under a bipartisan bill proposed Tuesday in the Legislature.

The state would increase its investment in the annual New Mexico Bowl by 10 times to $1.5 million over the next three years under a bipartisan bill proposed Tuesday in the Legislature, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

That new funding of $500,000 per year would represent a tenfold increase over the $50,000 per year the state paid in 2012 to retain a naming right in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. Previously, the highest contribution from the state general fund to the New Mexico Bowl was $330,000 for the 2009 bowl, the Journal reported.

The new state funding would ensure financial stability for the New Mexico Bowl, while purchasing a significant amount of TV airtime for New Mexico Tourism Department commercials during the game?s national broadcast on ESPN, Rep. Antonio ?Moe? Maestas, D-Albuquerque, told the Journal.

?To have a bowl of this magnitude touting New Mexico in our largest city, I think, is a win-win,? Maestas told the Journal. ?? The economic impact is clear to the city of Albuquerque, and the advertising for the entire state bolsters the entire state tourism industry.?

The effort to increase the state funding for the game is co-sponsored by Rep. Nate Gentry, R-Albuquerque, the Journal reported.

An estimated 24,610 fans attended the 2012 Gildan New Mexico Bowl to see Arizona beat Nevada 49-48. That attendance fell far below the game?s previous attendance record of 34,111 set during the inaugural game in 2006, when the University of New Mexico lost 20-12 to San Jose State.

Tourism Department Secretary Monique Jacobson, prior to the 2012 game, said her office hadn?t see a significant return on its investment in the game beyond the $50,000 cost of keeping New Mexico in the bowl title, according to the Journal report.

505.348.8323 | ggerew@bizjournals.com

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