Rutgers Univ. has "reached agreements on the two biggest sponsorship deals in school history -- five-year contracts with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and AmeriHealth New Jersey that are worth" more than $5M combined, according to sources cited by Tom Bergeron of NJBIZ.com. The deals "are exclusive, meaning the companies will be the only ones in their industry to partner with the university." In addition, both Robert Wood Johnson and AmeriHealth "will be given naming rights at a main gate to High Point Solutions Stadium, among other opportunities." The deals are "just two of more than two dozen sponsorships IMG has secured for Rutgers" (NJBIZ.com, 7/31).
COKE IS IT! In Georgia, Al Hackle noted Coca-Cola and Georgia Southern Univ. on Thursday "announced a 10-year, multimillion-dollar continuation of Coke's exclusive marketing deal on campus and for Eagles athletics." GSU President Brooks Keel said that the school's move into the FBS and the Sun Belt Conference has "multiplied the value of the marketing agreement about tenfold." The school said that Coca-Cola under the agreement will "develop customized, football-related marketing to expand Georgia Southern's brand recognition in the Savannah and Atlanta markets." Meanwhile, the university "has to give the company some free event tickets" (STATESBOROHERALD.com, 7/31). In Savannah, Donald Heath notes GSU since its conference switch has been "looking for additional revenue sources." The athletic budget has increased by about $4M to a total of $16M for the '14-15 athletic year. The school will "have two Thursday night home games televised on ESPNU," and any signage shown during those games "will get national attention" (SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS, 8/1).
