When the softball question finally came, Jeff Siembieda was ready.
The New Mexico Bowl’s executive director had already announced his event’s new title sponsorship deal Tuesday during a media gathering at Aperature Center at Mesa del Sol. Beginning with this year’s game, the annual contest will officially be known as the DreamHouse New Mexico Bowl.
DreamHouse, a multi-faceted business centered around the state’s film industry, hosted Tuesday’s announcement outside its 25,000 square foot post production studio. The sponsorship agreement is for four years. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Siembieda, the bowl game’s executive director since its debut in 2006, was asked if there was any connection between DreamHouse and Dreamstyle, the name sponsor of the University of New Mexico’s football stadium and site of the New Mexico Bowl.
“Purely coincidence,” Siembieda said with a grin. “It is the bowl game of your dreams.”
DreamHouse CEO Eric Martinez and ESPN Events Vice President Clint Overby also spoke during Tuesday’s announcement, which included an unveiling of a new logo for the game. The multi-colored logo features an image of the state of New Mexico over a football topped by a movie slate. It also includes a Zia symbol along with a mountain panorama.
The bowl game was previously title-sponsored by Gildan, but Siembieda said personnel changes at the clothing manufacturer brought that seven-year agreement to an end.
Siembieda said he’s confident the new arrangement with DreamHouse will bring the bowl game and Albuquerque even greater national exposure.
“I think you know what the film industry is doing for our state,” he said. “It’s a hub for our economy and DreamHouse is a big part of that. This partnership is right. I think it will help widen our audience beyond just college football fans and it’s great exposure for the city and the state.”
Martinez said the partnership will help grow brand recognition for his company.
“This is a great way to kick start the DreamHouse brand locally and nationally,” Martinez said. “We want to be a long-term partner for this game, and we want New Mexico to be the No. 1 hub for the film industry.”
The New Mexico Bowl is one of 39 current Football Bowl Subdivision bowl games and one of 16 affiliated with ESPN Events. New Mexico is one of 16 states hosting FBS bowls under the college football’s current alignment.
The New Mexico Bowl has primary agreements to invite Mountain West and Conference USA schools provided those conferences have enough bowl-eligible teams. New Mexico State recently signed an agreement that would allow the Aggies to play in one of the ESPN Events-affiliated bowl games, including the New Mexico Bowl, if they become bowl eligible.
This year’s DreamHouse New Mexico Bowl is scheduled for Dec. 21 at noon.
