KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — WBIR reached out to UT Athletics on Tuesday to request documents related to a partnership deal. between the University of Tennessee and Pilot. Under the new partnership, Neyland Stadium will get to keep its name but Pilot logos will be seen at various spots across the stadium.
A UT Athletics spokesperson said that a deal was made between Pilot and another company, Learfield, so it was not available for an open records request.
Learfield calls itself a media and technology services company in college athletics. Its website lists its services as "licensing and multimedia sponsorship management; publishing, audio, digital and social media; data analytics; ticketing, ticket sales and professional concessions expertise; branding; campus-wide business and sponsorship development; and venue technology systems."
The company's website said it represents the athletics multimedia rights for almost 200 colleges and universities such as the University of Georgia, the University of Alabama, Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee.
Learfield's website said the company works with a school's athletics department to protect, manage and market their brands to fans. The Learfield team in East Tennessee runs the Vols Network, which manages UT's rights relationships, like the one with Pilot.
The UT spokesperson said it's common for universities to engage in partnerships through a company like Learfield. He said the university would not disclose any financial agreement because Pilot would not share those details.
In a joint statement by UT Athletics, Pilot, and Learfield, all three said, "Financial details of the sponsorship will not be made public."
Last year, UT Athletics announced a naming rights agreement with Food City to rebrand Thompson-Boling Arena as "Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center." Food City committed to investing $20 million over the next 10 years.
While finances will not be disclosed for the UT-Pilot agreement, the deal could be up to 20 years or longer.
WBIR contacted the local Learfield team and is still waiting for a response. Reporters also requested the agreement between UT Athletics and Learfield. The university has seven days to complete that request.