The People of Oklahoma Oil and Natural Gas Secure Title Sponsorship for Bedlam Rivalry Series
NORMAN or STILLWATER, Okla — The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University announced Monday their men’s basketball programs will square off in an interconference matchup on Saturday, Dec. 14 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The People of Oklahoma Oil and Natural Gas is the official sponsor of Bedlam and all future contests between OU and OSU State in 2024-25.
“The people of Oklahoma Oil and Natural Gas are dedicated to supporting our state, including the continuation of the historic rivalry games between two of our most cherished universities,” said OERB Executive Director Mindy Stitt. “We are proud to leverage the collective strength of Oklahoma’s largest industry to support OU and OSU and continue our commitment to education.”
The Oklahoma Oil and Natural Gas industry is investing in the state and local communities at record levels, contributing more than $2.9 billion in total taxes and more than $800 million directly to education last year. Oil and natural gas remains the largest industry in Oklahoma, playing a significant role in employment, household earnings and state GDP. The industry’s mission is to empower unlimited opportunities for all Oklahomans by providing funding for education, investing in communities and restoring land.
“Our storied rivalry now enters a new chapter and we — along with all of Sooner Nation — are ready to begin,” said OU Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione. “It’s especially exciting to launch one of our marquee program’s Bedlam matchup in the Paycom Center. I know our fans will come out in droves to support our athletes. Our sincerest thanks to the people of Oklahoma Oil and Natural Gas for serving as our premier partner to bring this competition to fans across our state.”
While Oklahoma State and Oklahoma have been in competition for more than 100 years, the all-sports Bedlam Series did not come into existence until the 1999-2000 academic year.
“OSU fans take great pride in the success we’ve had in the Bedlam rivalry. Although we know Bedlam will look different moving forward, we are excited for this game in the Paycom Center and are grateful for the people of Oklahoma Oil and Natural Gas for their support of the series.” OSU Athletic Director Chad Weiberg said.
This exclusive sponsorship will enhance the visibility and excitement of the rivalry across men’s and women’s sports, fostering a renewed sense of anticipation and engagement among fans. The Oklahoma Energy Resources Board will receive rights to Bedlam Series, Oklahoma State University and University of Oklahoma intellectual property, participate in season-long fan engagement opportunities, receive exposure through TV and radio broadcasts, as well as in-venue signage, and will be featured in storytelling social media content, among other assets.
Tickets for the upcoming men’s basketball contest will go on sale on Wednesday, September 18 at 10 am.
Cowboy Sports Properties and Sooner Sports Properties, the locally based teams of Learfield — the media and technology company powering college sports — are the exclusive multimedia rights holders for Oklahoma State University Athletics and the University of Oklahoma Athletics, respectively, and handle all sponsorships and in-venue signage and advertising on behalf of the Cowboys and Sooners.
About the OERB
The OERB is governed by an unpaid 21-member board representing the people of Oklahoma Oil and Natural Gas. It is funded by more than 2,500 producers and thousands of royalty owners across Oklahoma through a voluntary one-tenth of 1 percent assessment on oil and natural gas production. Since 1993, the agency’s purpose is to conduct environmental restoration of abandoned well sites and to support education in Oklahoma.
About Learfield
Learfield is the media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.