Winston Salem, NC – The University of Tennessee has extended its partnership with IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions (IMGLTS), extending the highly successful relationship through 2019.
The Tennessee operation, which includes six full-time sales representatives led by General Manager Tyler Reichwein, produced $3.85 million in ticket sales revenue in the school’s most recent fiscal year (July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014). Tennessee has achieved a year-over-year increase in football season ticket sales and most recently eclipsed the 60,000 season tickets sold threshold. Tennessee is one of the top-performing schools in IMGLTS’ group of partners utilizing its privatized, in-house ticket sales solution.
“IMG Learfield Tickets is a key part of our external strategy at the University of Tennessee,” said Greg Hulen, Chief Development Officer, Associate Athletic Director, University of Tennessee Athletic Department. “Working collaboratively with the athletic department staff, IMG Learfield has helped us to grow our revenue while providing excellent customer service for Vol nation.”
IMGLTS began working with Tennessee in July 2011, expanding the school’s athletics ticket sales effort with a full-time, professional sales staff. By the beginning of the 2011 football season, the partnership generated an additional $1 million in new ticket sales or the equivalent of more than 2,000 season tickets to Tennessee football.
“We are thrilled to renew our partnership with Tennessee and Vol Nation,” said Brad Sexton, National Director of Sales, IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions. “Extending our partnership truly demonstrates the value of having our team on the ground integrated both in the department and the community. We look forward to continuing to grow this tremendous partnership in the next five years.”
While the University of Tennessee traditionally ranks in the top five in attendance for football and men’s and women’s basketball, the school proceeded to partner with IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions to further develop and fulfill season ticket sales, mini-plans and group sales opportunities at two of the nation’s premier venues: Neyland Stadium, one of the nation’s largest football stadiums and Thompson-Boling Arena, at one time the largest U.S. facility ever built for basketball.
IMGLTS is a ticket solutions partner to 30 universities across the country that is designed to increase attendance and revenues generated from athletic events as well as choice and convenience when fans purchase tickets.
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion and media operating in more than 30 countries around the world. IMG’s businesses include Events & Media, College, Golf, Tennis, Performance and IMG Academy, Fashion, Models, Clients, Consulting, Licensing, Joint Ventures, and creative management agency Art + Commerce. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, the world’s leading entertainment and media agency. Together, the companies offer an unparalleled client roster; world-class partnerships with sponsors, brands and broadcasters; and marquee assets across entertainment, events and fashion.
About Learfield
In its four decades, Learfield has developed trusted, long-term relationships with some of the most revered institutions and associations in the world of collegiate athletics. Learfield Sports manages the exclusive multimedia rights to nearly 100 collegiate properties in the country and has prominence in all of the major conferences. Learfield’s rights encompass all athletic department media and sponsorships components, including stadium signage and numerous content distribution platforms. The company also offers its university partners with licensing and trademark consulting, digital expertise, concessions and hospitality services and professional ticket sales. It also titles the prestigious Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup with award co-founders NACDA and USA Today. To learn more, visit www.learfieldsports.com.