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Read Full BioArizona Athletics announced that its stadium will now be known as Casino Del Sol Stadium after signing a $60 million sponsorship deal with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.
In a press release, Suresh Garimella, President of the University of Arizona, stated, “For many here in Southern Arizona and around the country, Arizona Athletics offers a first glimpse of the University of Arizona. By naming one of our campus landmarks for Casino Del Sol, we are telling that audience how proud we are to partner with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.”
Amanda Sampson Lomayesva, CEO of Casino Del Sol, said, “This partnership gives us the opportunity to share our story on one of the biggest stages in college athletics. From the heart of Tucson to fans across the country, Casino Del Sol is proud to stand with the University of Arizona in celebrating community, culture, and the Wildcat spirit that unites Southern Arizona.”
The naming partnership encompasses new exterior and interior branding, field logos, and digital platforms, as well as expanded integration into national television broadcasts.
Deal Done Despite Ban on Gambling Sponsors
Currently, most gambling companies are banned from sponsoring colleges. The American Gaming Association (AGA) has prohibited its members, which include tribal gaming enterprises, from entering into agreements with NCAA athletic departments.
The Pascua Yaqui Tribe, however, is not a member of the AGA. This week, the country’s two leading sportsbooks, FanDuel and DraftKings, also withdrew from the organization, which could pave the way for deals on campuses.
Some states, however, have banned gambling advertising on college campuses. The Illinois Gaming Board adopted regulations earlier this year that ban any gambling ads or promotions on college or university campuses. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Connecticut and New Jersey introduced bills proposing similar rules.
New Jersey also banned its licensed sportsbooks from partnering with colleges and universities earlier this year. Colorado, Louisiana, and Michigan all have similar limitations placed on betting companies in the states.
Arizona Pockets Record Cash From Deal
Arizona’s deal is scheduled to last 20 years, valuing the sponsorship at $3 million per season. The total figure of $60 million makes it the most lucrative sponsorship deal signed by a Big 12 college.
Other schools have higher-value deals in place, albeit over a shorter time period. The University of Washington sold the naming rights of Husky Stadium to Alaska Airlines in a deal worth $4.1 million per year. The university will receive a total of $41 million over a 10-year period.
Arizona State University signed a deal with Mountain America Credit Union to sell the naming rights of its stadium for $50 million over 15 years. This puts the value at $3.33 million per year.
Colleges Dabble With Gambling Sponsors Before Ban
Other colleges partnered with gambling companies prior to the AGA ban. William Hill secured deals with UNLV in 2017 and the University of Nevada-Reno in 2018.
The University of Colorado Boulder (CU) became the first school outside Nevada to partner with a gambling firm when it entered into a sponsorship agreement with PointsBet in 2020. Controversially, the deal also included a $30 commission from every sign-up PointsBet received from the university community.
Facing backlash over allegations that it was promoting underage gambling, Boulder withdrew the commission part of the deal in 2023. A spokesperson commented, “After review and discussion with our partners at PointsBet, it was determined that the referral program was not providing the ancillary benefits to our campus that were anticipated when the agreement was made in 2020, so we made the mutual decision to discontinue that portion of the agreement.”
Following this, Michigan State and Louisiana State University (LSU) both partnered with Caesars Sportsbook, but the company withdrew from the deals in June 2023. This was just prior to the AGA ban coming into effect.
NCAA Wants to Scale Back Betting Options
The NCAA has also urged gambling companies to reduce the betting markets on college sports, particularly prop bets. The organization states that betting on individual player performances exposes college athletes to abuse, as well as risks compromising the integrity of the sport.
This week, the NCAA banned six college basketball players for life for deliberately manipulating their performances for betting purposes. One player, Chatton “BJ” Freeman, was at Arizona State University.
According to the AGA, at least 15 states have prohibited sportsbooks from offering prop betting on college sports, but the NCAA wants a nationwide ban.
At the same time, the organization has revised its rules regarding gambling on professional sports. NCAA athletes remain prohibited from gambling on college sports, but can now wager on professional matches, provided they are over 21 years of age.
The promotion of a casino on Arizona’s campus is likely to receive backlash. Online residents of the state have already expressed their disappointment. One Reddit user posted, “I feel like an old man yelling at a cloud at this point, but I really don’t like how pervasive gambling is becoming in sports these days. Naming our stadium after a casino is sad.”
