San Diego State Univ. In Talks For Possible New Arena Sponsor

SDSU, Cox Communications Deal For Arena Naming Rights Expires June 30

The $4.8M naming-rights deal San Diego State Univ. (SDSU) signed 12 years ago with Cox Communications for its basketball arena expires on June 30, and the school is currently "in talks with Cox and several other parties, including the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, which operates a casino and outlet mall" in Alpine, California, according to Onell Soto of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. SDSU Assistant VP/Marketing & Communications Jack Beresford: "We have many conversations and negotiations underway." Soto reports Cox Arena's existing contract calls for Cox Communications to pay SDSU $290,000 a year, "plus provide $110,000 in advertising annually." If the Viejas tribe bought the rights, it is "unclear whether it would use the word casino." However, the "possibility of putting the Viejas name on the arena has some worried." National Center on Problem Gambling Exec Dir Keith Whyte: "The 18 to 24 age group is a high-risk group. We'd be concerned about any additional advertising that targets that group." NCAA Associate Dir of Public & Media Relations Stacey Osburn said that universities "can sign deals with gambling interests." Osburn: "While our rules do not allow sports wagering, decisions regarding institutional funding and advertising are under the purview of each university and college, and not under the control of the NCAA" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 12/5).