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Washington and Alaska Airlines reach stadium naming agreement
Alaska Airlines will have its name involved with Husky Stadium.
The airline and Washington have reached a 10-year naming rights agreement that is worth $41 million. According to the Seattle Times, it's the largest naming rights agreement in college athletics. The facility will now be known as Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.
“This agreement formally brings together two iconic local organizations for the next decade,” Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden said in a statement. “Alaska is proud to be the official airline of the University of Washington, a pillar in the Seattle community with a rich tradition of academics and athletics.”
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Yes, Alaska Airlines is not based in Alaska. The company is based in Seattle and also has the naming rights to Washington's basketball arena.
“I am thrilled that we can expand on a local connection and enhance a long-standing relationship with a Seattle company who shares our values so deeply,” Washington athletic director Scott Woodward said in a statement. "As the costs of funding a first-class student-athlete experience continue to rise, it is critical that we seek new and creative funding opportunities with partners who share our values.”
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The school recently finished a near-$300 million makeover to Husky Stadium. The naming rights deal is subject to approval by the Washington Board of Regents, though barring an unforeseen complication, it seems unlikely it will be overturned. It also could set a precedent for future naming rights deals. As the cost of college athletics goes up because of cost of attendance scholarships and the value of sports sponsorships also increase, stadium naming rights deals could become more and more common.
For more Washington news, visit TheDawgReport.com.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
