AggieJohn
01-08-2007, 10:34 PM
LAS VEGAS -- The Las Vegas All-American Classic, set for next week, was canceled because of problems with financing and sponsorship.
The game, showcasing East versus West college football all-stars, was scheduled for Jan. 15 and would have been televised on the NFL Network.
"We're disappointed it was canceled with such short notice," Seth Palansky, spokesman for the network, said Monday.
Palansky and an aide to stadium director Daren Libonati in Las Vegas said they received notice Friday about the cancellation.
"We are embarrassed at such a late notice," game director Darry Alton said in a statement posted Friday on the Web site for the game. Alton expressed disappointment about leaving players with no game, but said sponsorships and financing fell through.
Alton did not immediately respond to telephone and e-mail messages seeking comment.
The game was played for five years, including two years as the Paradise Bowl in 2002 and 2003 in St. George, Utah.
The game was a showcase for about 100 National Football League draft-eligible players, mostly from Division I-A schools.
The statement said organizers anticipated having the game in 2008 in Las Vegas, but under new ownership.
The game, showcasing East versus West college football all-stars, was scheduled for Jan. 15 and would have been televised on the NFL Network.
"We're disappointed it was canceled with such short notice," Seth Palansky, spokesman for the network, said Monday.
Palansky and an aide to stadium director Daren Libonati in Las Vegas said they received notice Friday about the cancellation.
"We are embarrassed at such a late notice," game director Darry Alton said in a statement posted Friday on the Web site for the game. Alton expressed disappointment about leaving players with no game, but said sponsorships and financing fell through.
Alton did not immediately respond to telephone and e-mail messages seeking comment.
The game was played for five years, including two years as the Paradise Bowl in 2002 and 2003 in St. George, Utah.
The game was a showcase for about 100 National Football League draft-eligible players, mostly from Division I-A schools.
The statement said organizers anticipated having the game in 2008 in Las Vegas, but under new ownership.