AirTran's Deal With Marquette Does Not Include Bradley Center

AirTran Airways last week inked a multi-year deal to be the presenting sponsor of Marquette Univ. (MU) athletics, but the airline "will not be able to have a sign or any significant presence in the Bradley Center," according to Mark Kass of THE BUSINESS JOURNAL OF MILWAUKEE. The Bucks, who along with MU play at Bradley Center, last month reached an extension of their deal with Midwest Airlines that included exclusive airline sponsorship rights for both the Bucks and Bradley Center, "blocking any potential rivals from advertising" in the arena. MU Deputy AD Mike Broeker said that school officials "had discussions with the Bucks about AirTran's presence at the Bradley Center, but knew it was precluded by Midwest's deal." Broeker said that AirTran "will be part of other aspects of the men's basketball program, including pre- and post-game events outside of the Bradley Center and radio and television broadcasts" (THE BUSINESS JOURNAL OF MILWAUKEE, 11/13 issue).