Tennessee Pilot Deal for Neyland Stadium

Tennessee has announced a significant long-term agreement with Pilot, a leading travel-center company, aimed at preserving the traditional names of Neyland Stadium and Shields-Watkins Field. The deal, which will last for up to 20 years with potential extensions, allows Pilot to display prominent signage throughout the stadium, including on the playing surface. While financial details remain undisclosed, the partnership is being characterized as a naming rights agreement that does not alter the historic names of the venue. Athletic Director Danny White emphasized that discussions with Pilot CEO Adam Wright began over a year ago, prior to recent NCAA rule changes permitting corporate branding on playing surfaces. White clarified that the structure of the agreement was designed to ensure that the names of Neyland Stadium and Shields-Watkins Field would remain intact, reflecting the institution's commitment to its heritage. The partnership comes at a time when Tennessee is exploring new revenue streams, particularly with a potential revenue-sharing system that could allocate up to $21 million annually to athletes starting in 2025. This initiative is part of a broader settlement related to antitrust lawsuits against the NCAA and its conferences, pending judicial approval. Neyland Stadium, which has been a cornerstone of Tennessee football since 1921, was named in honor of General Robert Neyland, who led the team to significant victories during his coaching tenure. White reiterated the importance of maintaining the stadium's name, stating, “We were never going to change the name.”