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Knoxville,
TN – August 2024 / NewsmakerAlert: Neyland
Stadium has been home of the Vols for more than 100 years and that
legacy will live on thanks to a transformative partnership with Tennessee
Athletics and Knoxville-based Pilot,
the largest network of travel centers in North America.
Tennessee
Athletics and Pilot are breaking new ground in college sports by entering
a multi-year partnership that preserves the iconic venue’s name and enhances
the stadium experience for future generations. Under the terms of the agreement,
which is slated for up to 20 years and could extend further, the names
of Neyland Stadium and Shields-Watkins Field will remain unchanged. Pilot
is designated as the presenting partner of the Neyland Stadium renovation
project and the official travel stop of Tennessee Athletics.
“As
we navigate the changing landscape of college athletics, we are dedicated
to building the best athletics department in the country,” said Vice Chancellor
and Director of Athletics Danny White. “Because we were committed to preserving
the name of Neyland Stadium, finding a partner who shared this vision was
essential. With deep roots here in Knoxville, Pilot recognizes the significance
of Neyland and the importance of tradition to our fans and the university.
Our focus continues to preserve and honor our storied past while modernizing
to ensure we lead the way in college sports.”
Neyland Stadium.
Home of the Vols. Proudly preserved by Pilot.
“Neyland
Stadium is one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world and UT is
a significant part of making Knoxville a special place that Pilot is proud
to call home,” said Pilot CEO Adam
Wright. “Through this partnership, we will preserve the legacy of Neyland
while also investing in its future to create exceptional experiences for
generations to come. We look forward to seeing you out here as we cheer
on the Vols in Neyland.”
New
signage on the east side of Neyland Stadium will feature a return of the
iconic “Home of the Vols” along with Pilot’s logo. Pilot’s branding will
also be on each side of Shields-Watkins field and in sponsored content
with Tennessee Athletics and the Vol Network.
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“Vol
fans know better than anyone the magic of Neyland on game day and the feeling
of singing Rocky Top in the same stadium where the greatest Vol legends
made their name,” said UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde
Plowman. “Our partnership with Pilot is all about preserving and enriching
that experience to make sure fans and their families will continue to make
these same kinds of memories for decades to come.”
Pilot’s
transformative sponsorship underscores its dedication to the Knoxville
community by ensuring Neyland Stadium remains a flagship destination for
future generations. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot is committed
to showing people they matter at every turn and building strong relationships
within the communities it operates. Pilot employs over 2,500 team members
in the greater Knoxville area and has a long-standing relationship with
the University of Tennessee.
“For
more than 65 years, we have fueled fans across North America as they hit
the open road for big games,” said Pilot’s chief marketing officer Adrienne
Ingoldt. “There’s nothing like Neyland Stadium packed with passionate
fans who’ve traveled from near and far to root for the beloved Vols. Pilot
is out here to fuel them up, fill them up and lift them up on the way to
victory.”
Neyland
Stadium Renovation Project
One
of the many unique aspects of this partnership is the investment in the
Neyland Stadium renovation project, which will continue to modernize and
enhance the fan experience. Future updates will include necessary upgrades
to the south side and perimeter of the stadium, such as widening concourses,
constructing expanded gates and entryways, and adding additional restrooms
and concessions areas.
This
element of the partnership will dramatically improve fan comfort and safety,
reduce wait times, and allow for more food and beverage offerings. There
will also be a Pilot-sponsored Fast Favorites refreshment and snack stand
located inside the main stadium entrance at Gate 21.
Fans
can expect to see the new “Home of the Vols” signage with Pilot branding
and many of the completed renovations in Neyland Stadium with the start
of the football season, which kicks off on August 31.
For
more information about Tennessee Athletics, visit www.UTSports.com,
and to learn more about Pilot, visit www.PilotFlyingJ.com.
The agreement was negotiated by Tennessee Athletics’ multimedia rights
partner, The Vol Network, and Intersport. Financial details of the sponsorship
will not be made public.
About
Pilot
Pilot
Travel Centers LLC (“Pilot”) keeps North America’s drivers moving as
the leading energy and experience provider people rely on to fuel their
journeys. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot
is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and employs approximately
30,000 team members. As the largest network of travel centers, Pilot has
more than 900 locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces, serving
an average of 1.2 million guests per day. In addition to travel center
services, Pilot offers trucking fleets a variety of solutions for fuel,
credit, factoring, maintenance and rewards. The company operates the third
largest fuel tanker fleet in North America and supplies approximately 12
billion gallons of fuel per year. Pilot is committed to shaping the future
of energy as one of the largest providers of biodiesel and renewable fuels
and through the development of a coast-to-coast EV charging network and
low carbon fueling alternatives. For additional information about Pilot,
visit www.PilotFlyingJ.com.
Media
Contact:
Stephanie
Myers
865-474-4096
Sr
Manager, Integrated Communications and Public Relations
LinkedIn
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