2015 DraftKings Boardwalk Bowl Set for this Summer in Atlantic City
March 12, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
2015 DraftKings Boardwalk Bowl
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ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, (March 12, 2015) - An ambitious effort spearheaded by Ron Jaworski's Arena Football League franchise, joined by state and local business development groups and fantasy football powerhouse DraftKings, has resulted in a new nationally televised professional football event for Atlantic City.
The inaugural DraftKings Boardwalk Bowl is expected to attract more than 10,000 fans to Boardwalk Hall on May 30 to watch the Philadelphia Soul battle the League's newest franchise, the Las Vegas Outlaws. The contest will be nationally televised by CBS Sports Network.
"The game will be the centerpiece for a weekend of entertainment and commerce for the community," said Jaworski, the former Eagles quarterback, NFC Player of the Year, and current ESPN analyst. "We're excited to bring our brand of high flying, high scoring arena football to Atlantic City and we are eager for residents and visitors to join the fun."
Billed as the "Brawl at the Hall," the game is the first top-level sporting event brought to the city by the newly formed Atlantic City Sports Commission (ACSC). The state's Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) has provided support in the form of a special event grant.
According to Soul co-owner and star NFL wide receiver Marques Colston (New Orleans Saints), playing a game in Atlantic City this season is the Soul's way of participating in the revitalization of the Boardwalk. Colston knows something about turnarounds having been in New Orleans for the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
"We've seen what football can do to help rejuvenate a community," said Colston. "That's why we are so pleased to be able to bring the arena game to our many loyal fans in the Atlantic City area."
In addition to DraftKings, the title sponsor, the Tropicana Casino & Resort has signed on as the official hotel. Tropicana President Tony Rodio said the hotel is preparing to go "all in" for the Bowl with special room rates and credits for the Hotel's famous Boogie nights on May 29 and 30. "We also hope to host a networking event, a pep rally and a post-game party at Chickie's and Pete's Crab House and Sports Bar, ESPN's No. 1 Sports Bar in North America." Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian said the game involving the country's two best known gaming centers was a chance to showcase the City's visitor assets for a large national audience.
"We're really grateful to Ron Jaworski and the Arena Football League for helping put the DraftKings Boardwalk Bowl on their 2015 schedule," he said.
"This also represents a strong start for the Sports Commission, which was formed earlier this year to bring these kinds of events to our shore."
For Boardwalk Hall, the "Brawl" marks another milestone in the history of the iconic facility, which hosted the first-ever indoor college football game in 1930. Home to political conventions, the Miss America Pageant, and a host of international celebrity concerts, the Hall will now once again host professional arena football.
Fran Rodowicz, General Manager of Global Spectrum at Boardwalk Hall, said his organization is thrilled to be the game venue. "In addition to providing fans with professional football action, the Brawl will bring visitors to town ... and that will give us a chance to show off what Atlantic City has to offer," he said.
Tickets start at $15 and go on sale beginning Friday March 13 at Noon EST. Individual and group tickets can be purchased by calling 888-879-SOUL or by visiting www.PhiladelphiaSoul.com.
When the DraftKings Boardwalk Bowl comes to town, it will be a homecoming of sorts for Arena Football League Commissioner Scott Butera, who is known in New Jersey for his work shepherding Trump and Tropicana casinos back to health following bankruptcy proceedings.
"When Jaws told me about his plan for this game, it was a rush because I share his feelings for Atlantic City and we both want to see it make a comeback," Butera said.
"If the DraftKings Boardwalk Bowl does as well as we expect, we'll be developing more marquee destination games based on geography, history, and ownership. It is one of the luxuries of being with the Arena League now. To give a great fan experience, we can exercise a lot of creative license."
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Arena Football League Stories from March 12, 2015
- 2015 DraftKings Boardwalk Bowl Set for this Summer in Atlantic City - Philadelphia Soul
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