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The University of Arizona has signed a record-breaking stadium naming rights deal with Casino Del Sol.
Key details:
- Venue renamed Casino Del Sol Stadium
- 20-year agreement valued at more than US$60 million
- Naming rights partnership includes new exterior and interior branding, field logos and digital platforms, along with expanded integration into national television broadcasts
Context:
The University of Arizona has described the partnership as ‘the largest such agreement in Big 12 Conference history’. Casino Del Sol is an enterprise of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and, in addition to stadium naming rights, the casino and entertainment venue has joined Arizona Athletics’ top-tier ‘pillar partner’ roster, with category exclusivity in casino, gaming and resorts.
The deal was negotiated by Arizona Sports Enterprises (ASE), the university’s own multimedia rights and corporate partnerships arm. Arizona took its multimedia rights in-house last year after splitting with college sports agency Learfield.
Arizona’s director of athletics Desireé Reed-Francois told Sports Business Journal (SBJ) that “the cost of running an athletic department has gone up”, which has prompted the university to “be aggressive in securing new revenue streams”.
Comment:
“This is the largest partnership in the history of Arizona Athletics,” said Reed-Francois. “We are appreciative of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Casino Del Sol for their investment and are proud to join hands to create a platform that celebrates culture, drives impact, and showcases the very best of Southern Arizona
“Together, we will inspire future generations, both on and off the field, while positioning our student-athletes and football programme for sustained excellence in the pursuit of championships. We’re not just changing the name of a stadium; we’re changing what it means to invest in college athletics in Arizona.”
Amanda Sampson Lomayesva, chief executive of Casino Del Sol, added: “This partnership gives us the opportunity to share our story on one of the biggest stages in college athletics. From the heart of Tucson to fans across the country, Casino Del Sol is proud to stand with the University of Arizona in celebrating community, culture, and the Wildcat spirit that unites Southern Arizona.”
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