Pilot Co. and University of Tennessee Athletics are entering a multiyear partnership that preserves the football stadium’s name and “enhances the stadium experience for future generations,” the Knoxville, Tennessee-based convenience-store chain said.
Under the terms of the agreement, initially slated for up to 20 years but which could extend further, the names of Neyland Stadium and Shields-Watkins Field will remain unchanged, said Pilot, which is designated as the presenting partner of the Neyland Stadium renovation project and the official travel stop of Tennessee Athletics. Financial terms of the deal will not be made public, Pilot said.
According to ESPN, the partnership “comes as schools that play big-time college sports search for new revenue streams to address rising costs, including more money than ever going directly to athletes.”
New signage on the east side of 101,915-seat Neyland Stadium will feature a return of “Home of the Vols”—for Volunteers—along with Pilot’s logo. Pilot’s branding also will be on each side of Shields-Watkins field and in sponsored content with Tennessee Athletics and the Vol Network.
- Pilot Co. is No. 15 on CSP’s 2024 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by store count.
Fans can expect to see the new signage with Pilot branding and many of the completed renovations with the start of the football season, which kicks off Aug. 31 against the Chattanooga Mocs.
One aspect of this partnership is investment in the $337 million Neyland Stadium renovation project, which will continue to modernize and enhance the fan experience, Pilot said. 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 concession areas.
This element of the partnership will dramatically improve fan comfort and safety, reduce wait times and allow for more food and beverage offerings, Pilot said. There also will be a Pilot-sponsored Fast Favorites refreshment and snack stand inside the main stadium entrance at Gate 21.
Neyland Stadium has been home of the Volunteers for more than 100 years and “that legacy will live on thanks to a transformative partnership” with Tennessee Athletics and Pilot, the c-store chain said.
‘Deep Roots’
“As we navigate the changing landscape of college athletics, we are dedicated to building the best athletics department in the country," said Danny White, vice chancellor and director of athletics. “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.”
Adam Wright, Pilot CEO, said, “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. Through this partnership, we will preserve the legacy of Neyland while also investing in its future to create exceptional experiences for generations to come.”
Founded in 1958, Pilot Travel Centers LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Omaha, Nebraska-based Berkshire Hathaway. It has approximately 900 locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces, serving an average of 1.2 million customers per day. In addition to travel center services, Pilot and its partners offer 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 a major provider of biodiesel and renewable fuels and is developing an EV charging network and low-carbon fueling alternatives.
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