Husky Stadium is getting a new corporate moniker after the University of Washington and Columbia Bank agreed to a record-setting 10-year, $70 million naming rights deal announced on Thursday.
The agreement will officially establish Columbia Bank Stadium as the official home of Washington Football starting January 1, 2027, according to University of Washington Athletics.
The deal delivers $7 million per year, making it the largest stadium sponsorship deal announced in college football, as reported by The Seattle Times. The Board of Regents approved the pact on Thursday, following months of discussions that began in June after an exclusive renegotiation window closed with Alaska Airlines, which previously held the naming rights to the football field.
UW athletic director Pat Chun said in a news release that the partnership creates sustainable resources during a period of extraordinary change in collegiate sports. “This is a step,” Chun told The Seattle Times. “It does not solve our problems by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s a positive step and a much needed step to partner with a company like Columbia (Bank) and really maximizes this sponsorship.”
In addition to the stadium rebranding, the agreement makes the Tacoma-based institution a signature partner of the university, according to University of Washington Athletics. The comprehensive partnership includes collaborative initiatives focused on financial literacy, debt reduction programs such as Debt-Free Dawgs, student career preparation, and alumni engagement.
During the changeover, the university will carefully retain specific design elements and heritage pieces connected to the traditional Husky Stadium moniker inside the property, making sure the background and customs of Washington Football stay embedded in the building.
Washington Athletics customs feature 323 Olympians and Paralympians, the creation of The Wave during a 1981 football game’s third quarter, the adoption of the popular Huskies moniker in 1922, alongside its famous Sailgating events and the sweeping view of what is known as The Greatest Setting in college football.
UW President Robert Jones noted at the press conference that the collaboration extends well beyond the athletic department. “The relationship will clearly support our students…we found a partner that is going to build and advance the strategic goals of this university,” Jones said, according to KOMO.
Columbia Bank President Chris Merrywell emphasized the bank’s regional ties to the Pacific Northwest during the announcement. “We have deep (Pacific) Northwest roots that make this very exciting,” Merrywell told The Seattle Times.
“It’s more than naming rights. Obviously, we’re very excited to have the name on the stadium to see it as you drive by on Montlake. But the opportunity to steward the rich history and the fan experience associated with the venue is part of it.”
The athletic department worked with Tod Leiweke of the Kraken and One Roof Sports & Entertainment to facilitate the agreement. The historic venue, located on the shores of Lake Washington, first opened in 1920 and underwent a $280 million renovation before reopening in 2013, as reported by KOMO.
With this new contract and the renewal of the Hec Edmundson Pavilion naming rights with Alaska Airlines in March for $28.4 million over 10 years, UW Athletics will generate more than $100 million across the two department agreements during the coming decade.