Idaho potato producers will spend $2.49 million over six years for the naming rights of a college post-season football bowl game, according to a contract between the Idaho Potato Commission and Humanitarian Bowl Inc.
The contract was released to the Capital Press on Monday under Idaho's open records law.
The newly named Famous Idaho Potato Bowl features the top teams from the Mid-Atlantic Conference and Western Athletic Conference. Previously known as the Humanitarian Bowl, the game is played at Bronco Stadium at Boise State University. Under the contract, the commission will pay $375,000 for the naming rights for each of the 2011 and 2012 games, $420,000 for each of the 2013 and 2014 games, and $450,000 for each of the 2015 and 2016 games.
The commission must also pay a one-time $80,000 rebranding fee to HBI.
This year's game will be Dec. 17 and is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN.
The 2011 Famous Idaho® Potato Bowl, formerly known as the Humanitarian Bowl, will take place December 17 in Boise, ID.