Albuquerque won’t be shut out in NM Bowl (Dem governor lockdown forces play in Texas)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | December 22, 2020 | Steve Virgen

[CedarDave]

Many will say this is peak 2020: The 15th annual New Mexico Bowl will take place in Texas.

That’s right, due to the current state guidelines in New Mexico pertaining to COVID-19 cases, Hawaii (4-4) and Houston (3-4) will not play at the bowl’s home since its inception, University Stadium in Albuquerque. Instead, ESPN Events, which owns the bowl, has moved it to Toyota Stadium in Frisco on Thursday.

Nonetheless, New Mexico Bowl sponsors such as Visit Albuquerque will support the game, advertise the city’s attractiveness as a place to live, work and play and encourage Texans and those watching the game to visit – of course, when things clear up.

“Albuquerque has been synonymous with the New Mexico Bowl since its inception 15 years ago,” Tania Armenta, president & CEO of Visit Albuquerque, said in an email. “It will be difficult not to have this bowl game take place in the city this December, but as a proud sponsor of the event, we will be able to keep Albuquerque top-of-mind with those looking to experience the city when the time is right.”

Armenta and Visit Albuquerque declined to disclose its monetary sponsorship with the New Mexico Bowl. Albuquerque’s presence will be felt in Frisco with two 30-second commercials during the national broadcast of the game on ESPN and on the radio. The commercials will also be played on the scoreboard in the stadium. About 5,000 fans will be allowed for attendance in a stadium that seats 20,000.

[CedarDave]

There are no K1-12 school sports in New Mexico, even outdoor golf, tennis, track and field are banned. NM universities and colleges have to play all games as away games out of state due to Gov. "Lockdown" Lujan-Grisham's rules.

[CedarDave]

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[PAR35]

So the Frisco Bowl won’t be played in Frisco this year, but the New Mexico Bowl will?

[CedarDave]

Thursday
New Mexico Bowl, Frisco, Texas
Hawaii vs. Houston

1:30 p.m., ESPN, 101.7 FM (ABQ)

[Steven Scharf]

Hawaii (4-4) and Houston (3-4)

Teams with losing records should not be allowed to play in Bowl games. Just stupid.