Featured image credit: Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University has secured a naming rights partner for its FAU Stadium following a previous aborted attempt, with Flagler Credit Union agreeing a 15-year deal for a reported $22.5m (£17.7m/€21.4m).
The contract was approved by the University’s Board of Trustees during a special meeting yesterday (Tuesday). FAU Stadium will be recognised as Flagler Credit Union Stadium, beginning with today’s Boca Raton Bowl between James Madison University and Western Kentucky University.
Florida Atlantic said the term and value of the deal is the largest corporate sponsorship in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) for a football stadium and among the largest in the Group of Five conferences, which includes the AAC, Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West and Sun Belt.
On a recommendation from the Football Rules Committee, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Playing Rules Oversight Panel on June 6 approved allowing commercial sponsor advertisements on football fields for regular-season games in all three divisions, starting with the 2024 season.
This has led to movement in this space, with North Carolina State announcing last month that it had appointed Independent Sports and Entertainment (ISE) to identify a potential naming-rights partner for Carter-Finley Stadium.
In August, the University of Tennessee (UT) struck a landmark sponsorship deal for Neyland Stadium which is set to aid the ongoing $337m redevelopment of one of the most historic venues in college football.
The deal with travel centre operator Pilot is set to run for an initial 20 years. However, it has been structured so that the names of Neyland Stadium and the Shields-Watkins Field playing surface will remain unchanged. Instead, the facility is now officially known as ‘Neyland Stadium. Home of the Vols. Proudly preserved by Pilot’.
Earlier in August, Northwestern University agreed a deal for Northwestern Medicine to take on naming rights to a new temporary venue that will serve as the home of its football, soccer and lacrosse teams. Grammy Award-winning musician Pitbull also purchased the naming rights to Florida International University’s football and soccer stadium in Miami.
In addition to football stadium naming rights, the Flagler Credit Union Stadium deal includes an extensive multimedia arrangement with Florida Atlantic Athletics for all varsity programs. Flagler Credit Union will become the official credit union of Florida Atlantic Athletics and the Florida Atlantic Alumni in 2025.
Opened as FAU Stadium in 2011, Flagler Credit Union Stadium is the home of the Owls, Florida Atlantic’s football team. The 30,000-seat venue, with more than 60 different suite and luxury seating options, hosts a variety of annual events, and since 2014, has been home to the Boca Raton Bowl.
Florida Atlantic will continue to honour the late Howard Schnellenberger, who founded the football program and served as its inaugural head coach from 2001 to 2011, with the playing field remaining designated as Howard Schnellenberger Field.
In 2013, Florida Atlantic struck a naming rights deal for the stadium with private prison operator Geo Group, only for the agreement to collapse amid an outcry from students and faculty.
Commenting on the new agreement, Florida Atlantic vice-president and director of athletics, Brian White, said: “This is a historic agreement for Florida Atlantic University and among the largest stadium naming deals in the Group of Five.
“It not only speaks to the remarkable momentum of FAU, but to the leadership at Flagler Credit Union. They have deep ties to our area and have been a trusted community partner for nearly 25 years.”
Brian Waldron, president and CEO of Dort Financial and Flagler Credit Union, added: “The partnership underscores our commitment to supporting our community.
“This stadium is more than just a venue — it’s a place where memories are made, where athletes, alumni, and fans come together to celebrate teamwork, dedication, and excellence. We are honoured to partner with a university that shares our values of supporting community and enriching lives.”
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