MTSU Athletics Signs New Multimedia Rights Partnership with Van Wagner April 3, 2024
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee Athletics has signed an exclusive agreement with Van Wagner, a leading collegiate athletics marketing agency. Van Wagner will become the Blue Raiders’ new multimedia rights holder starting in April for the 2024-25 academic year, Director of Athletics Chris Massaro announced Wednesday.
Van Wagner’s dedicated MTSU Athletic Sponsorships team will manage all aspects of the rights relationship, offering corporate partners a variety of traditional and new, innovative media opportunities with the university. These opportunities, which maximize brand visibility and exposure, include venue signage, event sponsorships and promotion, hospitality, radio and television advertising, and digital engagement via the official athletics website, GoBlueRaiders.com.
Chuck Arnold, MTSU’s current General Manager overseeing sponsorships, will continue in this pivotal role with Van Wagner. With his wealth of experience in sports marketing and tenure with the Blue Raiders since 2019, Arnold brings invaluable insight and relationships to the sponsorship team.
Van Wagner’s holistic approach to designing multimedia and sponsorship programs is poised to inject fresh revenue streams and benefits into Blue Raider Athletics. This includes improving the game-day experience and creating innovative opportunities for corporate sponsors to connect with the MTSU fan base. Van Wagner’s on-site sales team will work closely with the athletics department to build a strategy unique to MTSU, while taking advantage of the agency’s national and regional relationships and resources to strengthen the Blue Raiders’ brand across the country.
“It’s exciting to welcome Van Wagner to help continue our tremendous momentum,” said Massaro. “Van Wagner is a national company that specializes in schools with the size, budget, and fan base of MTSU. We feel like they are the right partner for our organization, and their expertise will add the most value to MTSU.”
Drawing upon their extensive experience in the collegiate sports industry, Van Wagner has a proven track record of delivering tangible results with a partnership model designed to maximize multimedia rights value and elevate fan engagement on campuses. The agency will forge new opportunities for MTSU Athletics and for corporate sponsors alike, while cultivating current partnerships. In addition to making strategic investments to enhance the overall experience for Blue Raider fans, Van Wagner will collaborate with MTSU leadership on naming rights initiatives and work side-by-side with athletics, providing guidance to help student-athletes navigate NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities within the parameters of NCAA regulations.
“We are honored to join forces with Middle Tennessee State University Athletics,” said Mike Palisi, President of Van Wagner College. “With the leadership and commitment of President Sidney A. McPhee, Director of Athletics Chris Massaro, Deputy AD Lee De Leon and the entire MTSU family, there has never been a more exciting time to be a part of the Blue Raiders family! Our mission is to leverage our expertise and resources to amplify the university’s brand and enhance the fan experience. We look forward to a successful partnership that will benefit both Middle Tennessee Athletics and our valued corporate partners.”
Van Wagner, recognized as the fastest, organically grown collegiate multimedia rights company in the industry, represents more than 40 colleges, universities, and conferences.
MTSU Athletics would also like to express its appreciation to LEONA for serving as a trusted consultant throughout the process.
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About Van Wagner:
Van Wagner is a leading sports advertising and entertainment agency, with global expertise in filmed and live entertainment, sponsorship sales, multi-media rights, and aerial advertising. Van Wagner creates, advises, and sells on behalf of world-class teams, leagues, brands, and properties. An innovator in the sports and media business, Van Wagner is a global leader in high-impact broadcast visible signage throughout the MLB, NBA, NCAA, and international soccer, sponsorships sales, college multi-media rights, and in-venue content production at the world’s biggest sporting events. For more information, visit www.vanwagner.com.