Could a major college bowl game be coming to Baltimore? It?s very possible, and, despite still needing three key ingredients, a local executive told The Examiner today, “We?re interested.”
A new bowl game could be played at M&T Bank Stadium in the third week of December in 2008.
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“We think it would be a great addition to the area to do a December game,” Ravens senior vice president of business ventures Dennis Mannion said. “We?re kicking the tires.”
Mannion said the Ravens aren?t “pursuing” a bowl game, but are performing “due diligence.” In order to be established, a bowl would need three components ? an agreement with a television network, a title sponsor, and both primary and secondary agreements with NCAA conferences.
The next step is to lock up conferences ? ideally those located on the East Coast ? for the potential bowl game.
Baltimore would serve as a unique home for a bowl, as an outdoor venue in a cold-weather December locale.
Mannion did say that Baltimore does “have weather situations, but historically we?ve caught decent breaks,” in December.
There are more events on the horizon for the Camden Yards complex in 2008. Representatives from the MLS and D.C. United will meet with Ravens officials within the next two weeks about a potential game or series next summer.
In all likelihood, the SuperLiga ? an eight-team tournament featuring MLS and Mexican league teams ? could call M&T Bank Stadium home for a game or more.
M&T Bank Stadium seats 70,107 at capacity, but could be limited to roughly 30,000 lower-bowl seats to create a more intimate, soccer-friendly atmosphere.
Examiner Staff Writer Dave Carey contributed to this story.
