The University of Kentucky has entered into a new partnership with Kroger, reportedly for 12 years and $1.85 million annually according to the Herald-Leader, and the deal includes the first name change for Commonwealth Stadium in 44 years.

First opened in 1973, Commonwealth Stadium will now be known as Kroger Field. The name still has to be approved by the university's Board of Trustees, but given the expansive nature of this partnership, it's unlikely to get voted down.


http://www.cbssports.com/college-footbal...-44-years/

I know this has been discussed on this board before - any chance UC ever does this with Nippert? Seems like there was some agreement that the name could not or would not ever be changed?

12 years at $1.85 million/year was convincing for Kentucky.

Man, they are about getting from Kroger per year what we get for our all sports media deal.

The CEO of Kroger is a UK alum and hardcore Blueneck. According to one of my friend's he spoke at Cov Cath a couple years ago and the inside of his suit jacket was lined with the UK jacket (he proudly showed it off to the students). My friend's son was one of the minority of student at Cov Cath who are not hardcore UK fans so he booed.

University of Kroger,,all those fans don't have to buy new blue shirts..

I'm sure the Lindner's would love to buy the naming rights to Nippert.

Back to the point, Jimmy Nippert was part of the Gamble (of "Proctor and Gamble") family. So, I have always been surprised that there has been not much more visible associations with P+G.

Let UK have Kroger's.

(05-01-2017 03:02 PM)BearcatBeta Wrote:  University of Kroger,,all those fans don't have to buy new blue shirts..

Nippert could arrange for a name change such as. Nippert Procter & Gamble Stadium. The stadium name does not change but P& G can pay UC for adding the corporate name of a cincy based company.

Rodney McMullen, Kroger's CEO, is a UK grad from Kentucky.

I've seen Mr. McMullen in meetings and thought he was very sharp and stood out in a room full of his peers. I guess he wasn't sharp enough to rename a part of Rupp.

This has more to do with being a state flagship with a statewide media network and 2 hour pre and post game shows than it does with the CEO.

(05-01-2017 03:43 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  This has more to do with being a state flagship with a statewide media network and 2 hour pre and post game shows than it does with the CEO.

To how many other sports venues does Kroger have its name attached? I don't know. Just curious.

Only one that I know of.

does kroger give any money to uc? i'd like some of that kroger money

(05-01-2017 04:03 PM)Lush Wrote:  does kroger give any money to uc? i'd like some of that kroger money

They certainly benefit from the number of UC grads that choose to work with the company.

I believe Kroger partners with UC Health on the Little Clinics and also has a joint venture with the pharmacology school.

UC cannot change the name. Years ago when UC needed to renovate to keep it from being condemned, UC approached Louise Gamble Nippert and told her they wanted to sell the naming rights to help fund the needed work. She asked how much the naming rights would raise. They told her and she said "I will give you that money but Nippert Stadium must always be named Nippert Stadium"

Louis and Louise have funded the Symphony, CCM, etc. with gifts in the $100 million range. They used to be major Reds owners. They are dead but it is my understanding that it will by agreement always be Nippert.

Screw Kroger. We should enter a partnership with Nickelback and rename it Chad Kroeger Field.

Time to boycott Kroger. My wife usually goes to Aldi, Meijer, or Jungle Jims anyway so shouldn't be too hard.

What a stupid name for a football stadium anyways. This will probably kill Wal-Mart stock now that all the blue necks will be migrating their fat a$$es into the dorito and pop aisles at Kroger.

(05-01-2017 06:31 PM)jarr Wrote:  Time to boycott Kroger. My wife usually goes to Aldi, Meijer, or Jungle Jims anyway so shouldn't be too hard.

What a stupid name for a football stadium anyways. This will probably kill Wal-Mart stock now that all the blue necks will be migrating their fat a$$es into the dorito and pop aisles at Kroger.

Nippert should remain Nippert. In UC's endowment there are several thousand shares of P&G stock paying UC more than 2 million a year in dividends. It does not all go, if any to the Athletic Department. However maybe it is time to take notes from the NFL and pick the 4 main entrances to Nippert and sell the naming rights to the gates. Put up a little signage and advertising, run a commercial or 2 during the game and maybe UC could get some more revenue out of the stadium during football season.