Lockheed Martin has extended its title sponsorship of the Fort Worth-based Armed Forces Bowl for another three years, the company announced today.
The defense company, which is building its F-35 fighter in Fort Worth, has been the title sponsor of the event since the 2014 game and will be on board through at least the 2019 game.
“We are ecstatic to announce that Lockheed Martin has again answered the call to serve as our title sponsor for another three years,” said Brant Ringler, ESPN executive director of the bowl game.“Their commitment to our game, the city of Fort Worth and our nation’s military, has allowed us to elevate the event, giving it added national prominence. We look forward to continuing to work with Lockheed Martin to honor our armed forces members through a fantastic football event.”
Lockheed Martin has more than 15,000 employees in North Texas, primarily at its Aeronautics business headquarters in Fort Worth and its Missiles and Fire Control business headquarters in Grand Prairie.
“Our sponsorship of the Armed Forces Bowl is an exceptional opportunity to show that we stand with the men and women of our military services,” said Rick Edwards, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “We especially enjoy hosting the thousands of veterans, active-duty service members and reservists who attend the game and its surrounding events.”
The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl has featured the “armed forces” theme since 2006. Past Lockheed Martin games have included fan-fest adventure areas showcasing armed forces hardware; flyovers; demonstrations by several of the military’s top skydiving teams; custom homes awarded to wounded warriors; on-field induction ceremonies; armed forces bands and honor guards; and the annual Great American Patriot Award presented by Armed Forces Insurance.
The 14th Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl will be played on Friday, Dec/ 23; at 3:30 p.m. and is scheduled to feature a representative from the Big 12 Conference against the U.S. Naval Academy, pending bowl eligibility. The game will again air on ESPN. – Robert Francis
www.ArmedForcesBowl.com.