MINNEAPOLIS – Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. and the NCAA have renewed a partnership designating Buffalo Wild Wings as the “official hangout for NCAA sports.” The designation includes March Madness, the men’s and women’s Final Four, all individual championships and covers marketing, media and activation rights for 90 NCAA championships. The partnership comes through an agreement with Turner Sports and CBS Sports.
In addition, Buffalo Wild Wings has strengthened its title as the official hangout by sponsoring 23 colleges and universities by partnering with sports marketing firms Learfield and IMG.
The IMG partnership makes Buffalo Wild Wings the official hangout for fans of UCLA, Univ. of Connecticut, Duke Univ., Univ. of Florida, Univ. of Georgia, Univ. of Kansas, Univ. of Michigan, Univ. of Nebraska, Rutgers Univ., Univ. of Texas and Univ. of Washington.
Through Learfield, the chain serves as the official hangout for Univ. of Alabama, Univ. of Illinois, Indiana Univ., Univ. of Louisville, Univ. of Miami, Univ. of Minnesota, Univ. of Missouri, Univ. of North Carolina, Univ. of Oklahoma, Oregon State Univ., Texas A&M Univ. and Univ. of Wisconsin.
The partnerships with Learfields and IMG provide the chain of restaurants with marketing rights that include in-venue branding, radio spots, digital advertising and unique promotions for fans.
“Buffalo Wild Wings’ heritage is deeply rooted in collegiate athletics and our relationships with the NCAA and 23 schools offer even more opportunities to connect with college sports fans in our restaurants, on television and across digital and social platforms,” said Sally Smith, CEO of Buffalo Wild Wings. “With rights across all NCAA Championships, we’re able to offer our fans the ultimate game-day experience, no matter their favorite college sport or team.”
“We’re extremely pleased that Buffalo Wild Wings has decided to renew its NCAA corporate partner sponsorship and will continue supporting NCAA student-athletes academically and athletically,” said Mark Lewis, NCAA executive vice president for championships and alliances. “Buffalo Wild Wings is certainly a favorite establishment for college sports fans, thus earning it the title of Official Hangout for NCAA Sports. They’ve created great fan interactives at our NCAA championships and we look forward to working with them in the years to come.”
