Not only will the BCS (thankfully) give way to the College Football Playoff in 2014, but the old crystal football will be replaced by a new piece of championship hardware with a soft drink company’s name attached to it.
ESPN announced Tuesday afternoon that Dr Pepper has signed on as the first official championship partner of the four-team playoff system that will determine a national champion at the highest level of college football. As part of the partnering, Dr Pepper will serve as presenting sponsor of the CFP National Championship Trophy.
The deal between the three entities is for six years, through the 2019 regular season and the championship game that will be played in January of 2020.
“Dr Pepper has many longstanding relationships in college, including ours,” said CFP executive director Bill Hancock in a statement. “Dr Pepper’s people are top-notch and their commitment to this great game is unique and exciting. We are grateful that ESPN has secured this partnership and we are thrilled about the future of the new playoff.”
The first CFP championship game will be played Jan. 12, 2015, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Tex. The new-look trophy that will be presented to the winner of that game is expected to be unveiled at some point before the start of the 2014 season this coming August.