Yes, the Holiday Bowl considered moving January's game to Saudi Arabia. Here's why.

The Holiday Bowl’s ongoing financial hardships are serious enough that event organizers pursued the possibility of playing January’s game in Saudi Arabia.

Mark Neville, the CEO of Sports San Diego, which stages the Holiday Bowl, visited the country in June for meetings and to discuss logistics.

Officials from the Atlantic Coast Conference — one of the game’s two participating leagues — reportedly put an end to the idea.

“We are always looking at considering ideas to make us better, to keep things fresh and new and innovative,” Neville said. “This was an opportunity that came from the relationships we’ve built through decades. It was a relationship that opened this door for us, so we considered it. It would have been foolish to say, ‘No way.’ Of course, we’re going to consider this.”

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