UB, Broadview announce $31 million partnership

UB and Broadview Federal Credit Union have announced a long-term, multi-tiered partnership that includes naming rights for the Bulls’ football stadium, basketball arena and an “athletics village,” as well as funding for student scholarships and UB’s student emergency fund.

The landmark agreement, valued at $31.75 million over 15 years and approved by both the UB Council and SUNY Board of Trustees, is the largest in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). It is also among the first such agreements nationwide to involve a stadium, an arena, philanthropy and an alumni association partnership. 

The agreement builds on a relationship more than a decade in the making. Broadview maintains a branch location in the heart of the North Campus and has served as a corporate sponsor of UB Athletics for several years.

It reflects the partnering of two organizations aligned in their values and mission to support their communities. Headquartered in Albany with branches in Western New York and across upstate, Broadview has invested in higher education, food insecurity and hunger programs in the areas it serves, along with programs dedicated to health and well-being and supporting people experiencing homelessness. As a New York State flagship university, UB is committed to research, education and service that improve lives and communities in Western New York, across New York State and around the world.

“We are grateful to Broadview for their partnership and shared commitment to expanding opportunity,” President Satish K. Tripathi says. “This collaboration strengthens our ability to support our student-athletes as they pursue excellence in competition, academics and personal development. Just as importantly, the scholarships and emergency funding made possible through this partnership will help students across our university overcome challenges, pursue their ambitions and reach their full potential.”

“This partnership ushers in a bold new chapter for both the University at Buffalo and Broadview,” says Michael Castellana, CEO of Broadview. “It signifies a deep commitment to public higher education and its impact on communities in Western New York and beyond. We are honored to support UB’s vision and proud to pursue our purpose of changing lives alongside this exceptional institution.”

Revenue from the $29.5 million naming-rights deal will be used to support UB’s athletics programs and student-athletes through scholarships, financial education, academic advising and health insurance, as well as new programming in life skills, nutrition and wellness.

In addition to the naming rights, a Broadview Scholarship will be established at UB. Broadview will contribute $100,000 annually to the UB Foundation for student scholarships across the university and $50,000 to UB’s student emergency fund, totaling $2.25 million over 15 years.

As an additional component, Broadview will be issuing a co-branded debit card featuring the Broadview logo and the university’s Bulls spirit mark. The card will showcase UB pride while contributing to the continued advancement of the university. The partnership provides additional funding to support the UB student population through UB Alumni Association scholarships based on the new Broadview accounts opened with the co-branded cards.

“At UB, we provide our student-athletes with a first-class collegiate experience through academic excellence, social development and competitive success,” says Mark Alnutt, vice president and director of athletics. “This transformative, campuswide partnership allows us to successfully compete at the highest level through a sustained investment into our athletics program. 

“Furthermore, by establishing a long-term partnership with Broadview, we’re able to work side by side with a like-minded organization as we continue to support the needs of the Western New York community,” Alnutt adds. “It’s a great day to be a Bull and I can’t wait to welcome our fans to both Broadview Arena and Broadview Stadium.” 

As a result of the partnership, the 30,270-seat-capacity UB Stadium — which hosts Bulls football, soccer and track and field, as well as large events for the UB community — will be renamed Broadview Stadium.

Alumni Arena — the home of UB men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball and the wrestling team — will be renamed Broadview Arena. The arena, which has a seating capacity of 6,100, also hosts major university events such as commencement, the UB career fair and student research symposium. It includes a natatorium for the swimming and diving team and space for recreation and intramural activities.

The naming rights partnership also applies to what will be called Broadview Village, the area between the arena and stadium that includes Nan Harvey Field (softball), the Murchie Family Fieldhouse and the Brittany Murchie Mulla Sports Performance Center.

The national search for a naming-rights and campus partner at UB was led by Van Wagner, a leading sports advertising and entertainment agency with global expertise in live events, sponsorship sales, multimedia rights and aerial advertising.