South Carolina AD comments on possible Williams-Brice Stadium naming rights, palmetto tree logos on field
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
South Carolina athletic director Jeremiah Donati discussed the possibility of Williams-Brice Stadium’s naming rights after Blanchard CAT and Blanchard CAT Rentals bought the rights to have their logo on the stadium’s playing surface for the next 5 years.
“It’s going to always be named Williams-Brice Stadium,” Donati said, according to the Post and Courier’s David Cloninger. “As far as our other venues, they’re kind of next up.”
What about the palmetto trees that have been on the field for years?
“The palmetto trees and SEC logo will still be part of the field design,” Cloninger reported, according to a source.
According to The State, the exact amount that South Carolina will receive as part of the agreement has not been disclosed, but it was called “the largest individual investment into our athletics program” by Donati.
An official with Gamecock Sports Properties was sure to stress that the field itself isn’t changing names.
“This is simply branding the field,” Nick Kistler, Gamecock Sports Properties’ general manager, told The State. “It is not naming (the field.) That’s a big distinction.”
South Carolina’s home opener at Williams-Brice Stadium is on Sept. 6 against South Carolina State. This is the final season before a $350 million renovation project at the stadium is set to begin.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
