StaffDNA’s Cure Bowl: A Strategic Play Beyond the Gridiron

PLANO, Texas – December 05, 2025 – As the college football bowl season kicks off, one matchup in Orlando is drawing attention not just for the on-field action, but for the innovative business strategy and profound philanthropic mission that underpins it. The 2025 StaffDNA Cure Bowl, set for December 17th at Camping World Stadium, will see the University of South Florida (USF) Bulls clash with the Old Dominion University (ODU) Monarchs. While fans anticipate a competitive game between two 9-3 teams, the event’s significance extends far beyond the end zones, representing a powerful confluence of sports marketing, healthcare innovation, and a multi-million-dollar fight against cancer.

For title sponsor StaffDNA, this is more than a branding exercise; it's a calculated investment that aligns its corporate identity with a cause at the heart of its industry.

The Business of a Bowl Game: A Strategic Sponsorship

Now in its second year of a five-year title sponsorship agreement with ESPN Sports and the Orlando Sports Foundation, StaffDNA's involvement in the Cure Bowl is a masterclass in modern corporate strategy. The Plano-based technology company operates the industry’s first Digital Marketplace for Healthcare Careers, a platform designed to solve one of the most pressing issues in modern medicine: efficient and transparent staffing. In a U.S. healthcare staffing market projected to exceed $33 billion by 2034, StaffDNA's technology connects hospitals directly with qualified nurses, therapists, and physicians, streamlining a historically cumbersome process.

The sponsorship strategically positions the company at the intersection of a massive television audience and the core values of the healthcare community. The decision to back the Cure Bowl, an event dedicated to funding cancer research, forges a powerful narrative. StaffDNA is not just a vendor; it is a partner in the broader healthcare ecosystem. This message is amplified by the company's rapid growth, marked by its inclusion on the Inc. 5000 list and a recent strategic acquisition of Ethos Medical Staffing's assets in October 2025 to bolster its database of allied professionals.

"We're thrilled to see the Bulls and the Monarchs take the field at this year's StaffDNA Cure Bowl. The game brings together the passion of college football with a purpose that unites teams, healthcare professionals, researchers and survivors in the fight against cancer," said Sheldon Arora, CEO of StaffDNA, in a statement. "StaffDNA's technology is strengthening the connections between job seekers and hospitals, ultimately leading to better patient care. We're honored to support an event that celebrates teamwork, strengthens communities, and has a meaningful impact for so many."

This alignment is crucial as the healthcare industry grapples with workforce burnout and a rising demand for flexible work arrangements. StaffDNA's platform, which emphasizes transparent pay and direct communication, is positioned as a solution. By sponsoring the Cure Bowl, the company gains a national platform on ESPN to broadcast this message, building brand equity that resonates with both hospital administrators and the very healthcare professionals it seeks to attract.

More Than a Game: A Multi-Million Dollar Mission

Since its inception in 2015, the Cure Bowl has been defined by its philanthropic purpose. The event, the signature initiative of the non-profit Orlando Sports Foundation (OSF), has become a fundraising powerhouse, collectively raising over $6.35 million for cancer research. The OSF’s mission is to unite teams to find a cure, and the bowl game serves as its most visible and impactful platform.

The funds raised are not just abstract figures; they translate into tangible scientific progress. A primary beneficiary of the Cure Bowl’s success is Dr. Annette Khaled, a professor at the University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Medicine. Over $1.6 million has been directed to her research, which focuses on developing therapies to kill metastasizing breast cancer cells. This sustained funding has propelled her work toward clinical trials, helping establish Orlando as an emerging hub for cancer science.

The OSF's efforts create a year-round community movement. The pre-game “March 2Cure” parade, where cancer survivors walk alongside fans and teams to the stadium, provides a poignant reminder of the event's core mission. This is complemented by fourteen other annual events, including a 5K run and bowling tournaments, that keep the community engaged and the fundraising momentum going long after the final whistle.

A High-Stakes Gridiron Showdown

While the charitable mission provides the soul of the event, the heart remains a compelling football game. This year's matchup promises high drama as both the USF Bulls and ODU Monarchs enter the contest with impressive 9-3 records.

For the USF Bulls, the game represents a chance to achieve a historic 10-win season, a feat accomplished only twice before in program history. The team's journey has been marked by a potent offense that ranks among the nation's best, averaging over 460 yards per game. The charge is led by redshirt senior quarterback Byrum Brown, who became just the 12th player in FBS history to record 3,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a single season. The Bulls will be navigating a leadership transition, as defensive line coach Kevin Patrick steps in as interim head coach following Alex Golesh's departure for Auburn.

Across the field, the ODU Monarchs, representing the Sun Belt Conference, arrive with their own momentum under sixth-year head coach Ricky Rahne. Their 9-3 season was built on a tough, disciplined style of play. The Monarchs’ defense is anchored by a formidable linebacking corps featuring star player Jason Henderson, who has amassed 438 tackles in his career. Their offense, led by dual-threat quarterback Colton Joseph, provides a balanced attack that will test USF's Top-20 ranked scoring defense.

The game is more than an exhibition; it is a capstone for two programs on the rise and a chance to claim a coveted bowl victory on a national stage. The competitive fire of the teams provides the spectacle that draws the crowds and television viewers, which in turn fuels the fundraising engine of the entire enterprise.