The Allstate Red River Rivalry name change begins college football season
DALLAS, Texas – Allstate has been named the title sponsor of the historic football game between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners. The annual matchup that dates back to 1900 and is played at the venerable Cotton Bowl in Dallas will now be titled the Allstate Red River Rivalry.
The new name will take effect this year for the 119th meeting between the two universities on Oct. 7. Last used in 2013, the familiar “Rivalry” name within the game title returns, and it will remain moving forward.
Allstate has been a supporter within the college sports landscape for decades with its signature field goal nets, cornerstone scholarship program, and individual college sports sponsorship initiatives. The company secured the game naming rights through LEARFIELD, the media, data, and technology services leader in intercollegiate athletics. LEARFIELD is the longtime athletics multimedia rightsholder for the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas via its respective Sooner Sports Properties and Longhorn Sports Properties teams.
“This is one of the most storied rivalries in college football, and we’re excited to be part of a game with such a rich history and spirited fans,” said Dan Keats, director of consumer marketing and sponsorship at Allstate. “We look forward to seeing both flagship universities face off at the Texas State Fair this year.”
Complementing its new relationship as title sponsor for the historic Longhorns-Sooners gridiron matchup, Allstate holds longstanding sponsorships with both programs respectively. This year marks the 11th year for Allstate as a Texas Athletics’ sponsor and its 13th with the Sooners. LEARFIELD, in addition to representing both schools’ brands, has been aligning sponsors with the Dallas-based game since 1995.
“Our annual, iconic matchup with the Longhorns each October features more than a century of tradition between our two programs, so it’s fitting that we revive the ‘Rivalry’ name,” said OU Vice President and Athletics Director Joe Castiglione. “On the field, we’re certainly arch-rivals, with both our teams bringing fierce competition year after year. Allstate is a strong supporter of OU Athletics, and we’re in good hands with them as our Red River Rivalry title sponsor.”
Texas VP and Athletics Director Chris Del Conte added, “We are thrilled to have such an outstanding, longtime Texas Longhorns partner as Allstate come on board to sponsor the greatest rivalry in all of college football. There is no better tradition than the Red River Rivalry in a more unique and perfect atmosphere like the State Fair of Texas and the Cotton Bowl with ‘The Line,’ the Golden Hat trophy and all of the pageantry and passion of both universities on full display.”
This year’s game will be broadcast live on ABC with the kickoff time to be set at a later date. Tickets for the Allstate Red River Rivalry may be purchased from each school’s athletic department.
ABOUT ALLSTATE
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) protects people from life’s uncertainties with a wide array of protection for autos, homes, electronic devices and identity theft. Products are available through a broad distribution network including Allstate agents, independent agents, major retailers, online and at the workplace. Allstate is widely known for the slogan “You’re in Good Hands with Allstate.” For more information, visit www.allstate.com.
ABOUT LEARFIELD
LEARFIELD is a media, data, and technology services leader in intercollegiate athletics. The company unlocks the value of college sports for brands and fans through an omnichannel platform with innovative content and commerce solutions. LEARFIELD services include licensing and collegiate sports properties’ multimedia sponsorship management; publishing, audio, digital and social media; data analytics and insights; ticketing software; and ticket sales, premium seating, and fundraising services; branding; campus-wide business and sponsorship development. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for NACDA’s acclaimed LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup, recognizing athletic departments across all divisions.