By Keith Taylor
Special to NKyTribune
Nearly two years ago, Kentucky’s football stadium underwent a major renovation project. The 44-year-old facility received a new name on Monday.
The university, along with media partner JMI Sports, announced a exclusive partnership with Kroger that changes Commonwealth Stadium to “Kroger Field.” The playing field will retain former athletics director C.M. Newton’s name and now will be known as C.M. Newton Grounds at Kroger Field.
The agreement is worth $1.85 million annually for 12 years and is subject to approval by the UK Board of Trustees during its meeting on Tuesday. Under the agreement, Kroger becomes the official fuel partner and grocery partner of move-in day at Kentucky. Kroger also will serve as the official nutrition and pharmacy partner for the UK athletics department and sponsor several campus events.
“This is an unprecedented partnership that pairs two iconic brands – UK and Kroger – whose reach extends throughout the Commonwealth and far beyond our borders,” UK President Eli Capilouto said during a Monday press conference. “Kroger shares our mission to serve Kentucky. And this partnership tangibly advances that mission, as evidenced by what it will allow us to do on our campus, but also as Kroger embarks on an ambitious effort to enhance health and wellness throughout Kentucky.”
Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said the deal took time and wasn’t an easy task, but praised the effort between the three parties to make the partnership become a reality.
“Three years ago, we had this day in mind when we reached our new multimedia rights agreement with JMI Sports,” Barnhart said. “We are proud to have a partner in Kroger that shares our commitment to making this state and university the best they can be. This partnership goes well beyond the naming of Kroger Field and we are excited to see the good it will do for years to come.”
Like Barnhart, Kroger Regional President Calvin Kaufman said the agreement will reach beyond the stadium and prove to be beneficial to all parties involved.
“The common goal of this partnership is for Kroger customers to benefit, Kentucky football fans to benefit, and ultimately the entire community to benefit,” Kaufman said. “We look forward to showing what can be accomplished when two iconic brands like UK and Kroger, which have similar values and rich heritage, work together on health and wellness initiatives, community engagement, and enhanced experiences for our customers and fans.”
Although no officially approved by the board of trustees, chair of the UK athletics committee chairman C.B. Akins Sr. supports the agreement and doesn’t and supports the agreement between the three parties.
“Partnerships have driven every accomplishment we’ve made together,” Akins said. “We’ve experienced unprecedented growth as an institution – an institution that exists for Kentucky.
“This partnership with Kroger symbolizes – and extends – that commitment. Because of today’s announcement, we will continue to upgrade the experience for our fans, extend and enhance what we can do for our student-athletes, and provide more in services for our faculty, students and staff.”
Prior to the agreement, the Newton family was consulted by the university and gave their approval for the renaming of the playing field at Kroger Field.
“My family and I are thankful to President Capilouto, Mitch Barnhart and everyone at UK for including us in the decision to rename the playing field,” C.M. Newton said. “We are proud of the time we spent at UK and excited for years of Kentucky football to come on C.M. Newton Grounds at Kroger Field.”
Kentucky is the first Southeastern Conference program to have its stadium named after a cooperate sponsor, but not in the state. Louisville plays at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium and Western Kentucky’s home football games are played at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.
Kentucky’s first game in the renamed stadium is set for Sept. 9 against Eastern Kentucky University.
Keith Taylor is a senior sports writer for KyForward, where he primarily covers University of Kentucky sports. Reach him at keith.taylor@kyforward.com or @keithtaylor21 on Twitter