The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has agreed in principle to a 10-year relationship with colligate sports marketing agency, Learfield Sports.
Under the deal, Learfield Sports will serve as the university’s exclusive athletics marketing partner beginning with the 2009-2010 academic year. The deal will also see the immediate establishment of the Chattanooga-based “Mocs Sports Properties” that will sell multimedia and sponsorship rights including certain television rights, radio, corporate hospitality, print sponsorships, event marketing, official athletic Web site advertising, venue signage as well as certain rights at Finley Stadium. In addition, Learfield Sports will be integral in providing resources for McKenzie Arena’s first-ever videoboards that will be installed before the 2008-09 season tips off.
Director of intercollegiate athletics at UTC, Rick Hart, said: “This strategic partnership provides us with a consistent revenue stream during uncertain economic times, and a wealth of knowledge and experience which will benefit our student-athletes, coaches, staff, students and corporate sponsors. In addition to the professional assets we acquire via this relationship, we are equally excited about Learfield’s commitment to our mission and core values and their dedication to establishing comprehensive excellence as the UTC Standard.”
The UTC partnership represents Learfield Sports’ first foray into the Southern Conference. The Mocs now are a part of Learfield Sports' collegiate portfolio that totals nearly 50 properties around the country, including Memphis, Oklahoma, Kansas State, Iowa, Miami, North Carolina, the Big Ten Conference and the Western Athletic Conference.
