Vols to maintain Neyland name in deal with Pilot

Aug 13, 2024, 10:48 AM ET

Tennessee announced on Tuesday a long-lasting handle travel-center giant Pilot that will protect the names of Neyland Arena and Shields-Watkins Field while providing the Knoxville-based business prominent signs throughout the stadium, consisting of on the playing surface.Financial terms of the agreement were not revealed, however it will initially be for up to 20 years with the possibility of extensions, the school and business said. Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, a Tennessee alum, is the previous CEO and current chairman of Pilot in addition to a long time advocate of Volunteers athletics.The offer comes as schools that play big-time college

sports search for brand-new profits streams to resolve increasing expenses, including more cash than ever going directly to athletes.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Tennessee athletic director Danny White stated the collaboration might be referred to as an identifying rights offer

without a name change, protecting the standard name of Tennessee’s 101,915-seat stadium.White stated discussions with Pilot CEO Adam Wright and his group about a branding offer began more than a year back, well before the NCAA fine-tuned its rules to enable schools to put sponsored branding on playing surface areas. “There’s constantly been a guideline that a stadium-naming contract enables business branding in the arena, on the field,”White stated. “And we structured this in a manner where we knew

from the beginning that altering the name of Neyland Arena or Shields-Watkins Field was never ever an option. It’s way too renowned of a building. “Pilot will be designated as the providing partner of the $337 million Neyland Stadium renovation task. That includes new signage on the east side of the arena with “Home of the Vols”

in addition to the company’s logo, and Pilot benefit shops in the concourse selling treats and drinks. “Basically, even simply saying [Neyland Stadium] protected by Pilot to me deserves it, “Wright said.For power conference schools such as Tennessee, a revenue-sharing system that could direct as much

as$21 million each year to professional athletes might start as soon as 2025. The strategy belongs to the settlement of multiple antitrust claims against the NCAA and conferences and still needs approval from a judge.Naming rights deals for arenas and arenas figure to end up being popular throughout the country.Just last week, Florida International revealed a handle Grammy-winning musician Pitbull that consists of calling rights to the school’s 20,000-seat football stadium.For many schools, however, arenas and arenas have actually names soaked in custom and meaningful to fans. Modifying them in anyhow to accommodate business sponsorship would risk backlash.At Nebraska, for instance, Memorial Arena in Lincoln is devoted to Nebraskans killed while serving in the military.Cornhuskers athletic director Troy Dannen stated an offer that would change the name of the stadium is not something he has actually even contemplated, but balancing traditions with monetary needs will develop hard calls for administrators throughout college sports.

“There are a lot of things that have actually been held spiritual with time that whether you’re able to hold them sacred in this brand-new environment is

an exceptional concern that we’re all going to need to deal with,” Dannen said.Tennessee initially played football at Shields-Watkins Field in 1921. It was named for William Simpson Shields, a Tennessee trustee who settled a financial obligation that was owed on the land and offered it back to the university, and his partner, the previous Alice Watkins.The arena grew around the field and in 1962 it was broadened to more than 52,000 seats and devoted to Gen. Robert Neyland, who served two stints as Tennessee’s coach for 21 years(1926-52 ). His teams went 173-31-12, won 5 Southeastern Championship game and the 1951 national title.” The impact he had on this program, as a coach, it’s his vision. That’s why the arena’s there,” White stated.” We were never ever going to change the name. So it had to do with how do we protect the name and build a win-win partnership that permits us to reinvest in our fan experience.”