CommunityAmerica Credit Union has signed a long-term partnership with the University of Arkansas that includes naming rights to the university's football stadium beginning with the 2027 season.
According to Whole Hog Sports, the agreement is worth $70 million over 13 years, making it the highest-valued college football stadium naming rights deal ever. The publication reported the agreement averages about $5.4 million annually, about 20% more than the next-largest known college football stadium naming rights agreement.
Under the agreement, Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium will become CommunityAmerica Razorback Stadium starting with the 2027 football season. The partnership also named CommunityAmerica the official credit union of Arkansas Athletics.
The agreement included sponsorship of Arkansas Athletics, the rebranding of the SEC Club inside the stadium as the CommunityAmerica Club and NIL opportunities for student-athletes. CommunityAmerica also will provide financial education and other programs for student-athletes.
"This is so much more than a name on a stadium. It's about becoming part of the Razorback Nation experience and helping fans, students, student-athletes and the communities we and the university serve," Lisa Ginter, president/CEO of CommunityAmerica, said. "Our members are at the heart of everything we do and when we evaluate partnerships like this, it starts with what matters most to them. The University of Arkansas is a powerful source of pride and connection for people across the state and in many of our markets. This partnership underscores our long-term commitment to Northwest Arkansas, where we look forward to growing our presence and helping more families achieve financial peace of mind. We're already deepening our roots with plans for a campus location and several new branches throughout the region."
The partnership's second phase, which begins with the 2027 football season, will also include the launch of CommunityAmerica Razorback checking accounts, debit cards and credit cards.
"We are thrilled to welcome CommunityAmerica Credit Union as the Official Credit Union of Arkansas Athletics as one piece of a partnership that will benefit our student-athletes, fans and the state of Arkansas for years to come," Hunter Yurachek, vice chancellor and director of athletics at the University of Arkansas, said. "Our vision in the Department of Athletics is to be our best and CommunityAmerica's commitment to excellence as a trusted, people-driven financial institution mirrors that same vision. This partnership is just getting started but its impact will help shape our future."
CommunityAmerica, founded in 1940, has almost $10 billion in assets and more than 600,000 members. The credit union said it plans to expand its presence in Northwest Arkansas with a campus location and several new branches.
Joyce Moed can be reached at joyce.moed@arc-network.com.
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