GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida Athletics and Gators Sports Properties are thrilled to announce a partnership renewal with Florida Dairy Farmers (FDF), the longest tenured partner of the Gators. With the renewal, Florida Athletics and Florida Dairy Farmers will celebrate their 40th year of consecutive partnership during the 2025-26 athletics season.
“For 40 years, the Dairy Farmers have been a cornerstone of Gator Athletics—demonstrating what a true partnership looks like,” said Scott Stricklin, University of Florida Director of Athletics. “Their support has helped fuel our student-athletes’ success both on and off the field, and we’re incredibly grateful for their loyalty, generosity, commitment to the community and belief in the Gators. It’s rare to find a partner with this kind of longevity and impact, and we look forward to continuing this special relationship for years to come.”
Through the long-standing partnership, Florida Dairy Farmers has educated Gators fans and the University of Florida community about the nutritional benefits of drinking Florida Milk while emphasizing the positive economic impact the Dairy industry has in the State of Florida.
To commemorate the 40 years of collaboration between the Gators and Florida Dairy Farmers, more than 30 FDF members from around the state, including President of the Board and Okeechobee dairy farmer John Larson, attended the 40th Anniversary celebration at the Swamp on July 31, where they were joined by Stricklin, Senior Associate AD Steve McClain, members of the Gators Sports Properties staff and the UF Cheer team.
“As dairy farmers, we believe in the goodness of milk, not just for its nutrition, but for the moments it creates around the table and in our communities,” said Larson. “For over 40 years, our partnership with the University Athletic Association and the Florida Gators has allowed us to connect with more than 3 million fans across the state. We are proud to champion Florida Milk and encourage Gators everywhere to enjoy it more often, whether it is a splash in your morning coffee, a cold glass after the game, or a wholesome snack for your family.”
The continued partnership will see Florida Dairy Farmers continue to benefit from various brand visibility assets across several Gator sports.
“Florida Dairy Farmers has offered unmatched commitment and dedication to the Gators for 40 years, providing the perfect example of a truly collaborative partnership,” said Darren McPhail, General Manager of Gators Sports Properties. “We’re thrilled to celebrate and extend our relationship with Florida Dairy Farmers as they continue their impact and support in the state of Florida.”
Gators Sports Properties, the locally based team of Learfield – the media and technology company powering college athletics – is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Florida Athletics and oversees all sponsorship agreements on behalf of the Gators.
About Florida Dairy Farmers
Florida Dairy Farmers is Florida’s milk promotion group, working to inform people about the dairy farming industry and the nutrient- rich foods it provides. FDF represents Florida’s hard-working dairy farming families.
About the University Athletic Association, Inc
Originally incorporated in 1929, the University Athletic Association’s strategic purpose is to provide a championship experience with integrity on and off the field for student-athletes and the Gator Nation. The Gator athletic program supports 21 teams and more than 500 student-athletes, giving them the opportunity to compete at the highest levels of collegiate athletics, while receiving an education from a top-five public university. Florida is the only school in the nation to finish in the top-10 nationally in all sports rankings in each of the last 40 years and has posted 15 consecutive top-five finishes. Florida has won a national championship in each of the last 15 seasons and boasts 48 championships overall. Florida leads all Southeastern Conference schools with 265 league championships and overall has 276 conference titles to its credit. The UAA commits nearly $17 million to fund scholarships for student athletes, who posted a recent graduation success rate of 94 percent and a 3.33 GPA in the Spring of 2024.
About Learfield
Learfield is the leading 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.