Tennessee Strikes Big Deal but Will Keep Stadium's Name

The University of Tennessee announced a long-term partnership with Pilot that will see the names of Neyland Stadium and Shields-Watkins Field retained—with Pilot signage in full view throughout the 101,915-seat stadium, including on the playing surface, and Pilot convenience shops throughout. Although financial terms were undisclosed, the initial agreement spans up to 20 years with potential extensions. Pilot will serve as the presenting partner of the $337 million Neyland Stadium renovation project.

Jimmy Haslam, the Cleveland Browns owner and Tennessee alumnus, chairs Pilot and has long supported Volunteers athletics. Tennessee athletic director Danny White described the deal as a naming rights agreement that lacks an actual name change. Conversations with Pilot's CEO Adam Wright started over a year ago, prior to the NCAA's rule change allowing sponsored branding on playing surfaces. White emphasized, "We knew from the onset that changing the name was never an option."

The agreement reflects broader trends in college sports, where schools seek new revenue streams amid rising costs and forthcoming revenue-sharing systems. Florida International last week said a deal with the musician Pitbull will include naming rights to its own 20,000-seat football stadium. "Even just saying Neyland Stadium preserved by Pilot to me is worth it," Wright commented. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)