While Arizona State VP/Athletics Ray Anderson said there will "certainly be a naming rights deal" as part of Sun Devil Stadium's renovation, a timeline for any such deal "remains unclear, with renovations planned through at least" '17, according to Tyler Lockman of FOXSPORTSARIZONA.com. ASU "could be waiting" for Chief Business Development Officer Greg McElroy to "handle the process." McElroy while with the Cowboys "negotiated a naming rights deal that rebranded Cowboys Stadium as AT&T Stadium." Selling the naming rights to Sun Devil Stadium "could mean the end of Sun Devil in the stadium's official name." ASU does "not have the option to sell naming rights to the field at Sun Devil Stadium, as it is already named for legendary coach Frank Kush." Anderson said that fundraising efforts "have been successful beyond expectations," and added that the school will "soon announce an architect and builder for the project." Lockman noted as ASU continues to "explore new methods of generating revenue, the naming rights of other venues will apparently be on the table as well" (FOXSPORTSARIZONA.com, 5/28). In Phoenix, Jeff Metcalfe noted ASU's FY ends June 30, and Anderson "gave no details on whether athletics will be in the black for a second consecutive year, but that appears likely" given that the Pac-12 reported more revenue ($334M) for '12-13 than any other conference. ASU athletics was "slightly in the black" for '12-13 with $65.6M in revenue, including $8.6M in direct university funding. Students will "begin paying a mandatory $150 athletic fee in the fall" that is expected to raise $10M (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 5/29).
