The new center-hung scoreboard that UNLV unveiled at Thomas & Mack Center last month bears the name of Boyd Gaming, the casino operator that funded it as part of a recent $5 million contribution, the largest ever from a corporation to the athletic department. MGM Resorts International and sportsbook William Hill also sponsor UNLV athletics.
Those are natural fits at a state university that has built relationships with a host of gaming companies. But will similar revenue-producing alliances emerge in other states as they open the door to sports betting?
Here’s what athletic directors from schools in two of those states had to say about that polarizing issue.
Hobbs
Patrick Hobbs, AD, Rutgers:
“[IMG College has not] brought any of those opportunities to us at this point. But we’re not opposed to those opportunities. I think it’s how you engage in the sponsorship. So if you’re using some of that support for education around gambling, and if you’re using some for protecting the integrity of the game — I think you have to look at all that before you put a sign up. There are going to be a lot of people making a lot of money on legalized sports betting. That colleges might get some of the resources directed back their way, which would help them do the things they need to do to protect these games — I think that would be a positive.”
Esten
Phil Esten, former Deputy AD, Penn State (now AD at University of St. Thomas, in Minnesota):
“There is [a commercial opportunity], but we have thus far taken the position that we’re not going to engage in it. When you look at the sponsorship piece, there is revenue there and there are some who are going to do that. For us, this is going to be one of those things that we’ll observe and learn from rather than take a lead on. And let’s let others dip their toe in it and figure out all the wrinkles and opportunities and challenges before we make a move.”
Lyke
Heather Lyke, AD, Pitt:
“Philosophically, we’re going to discourage — or at least we’re certainly not going to promote — the concept of gaming and sportsbooks and the like. There is no question there is revenue tied to it. But it’s a philosophical discussion on your own integrity and core values as a university.”
