Central Bank, in collaboration with JMI Sports, has announced that the bank will extend its contract as the Official Bank of University of Kentucky Athletics.
This expanded commitment to UK Athletics comes in the form of a contract extension until 2030 and will total $18.1 million. In addition to this designation, Central Bank has expanded its enduring relationships with the University, including commitments to UK Healthcare and the Gatton College of Business and Economics for $7 million. Additionally, Central Bank has partnered with the University of Kentucky Alumni Association to offer an affinity credit card to UK Alumni in early 2017.
“We are proud our relationship with Central Bank will continue well into the future,” said Mitch Barnhart, University of Kentucky Athletics Director. “This partnership underscores the commitment we share to enrich the lives of young people and position them for success during and after their time as Wildcats.”
“As a local bank, extending this long-standing relationship underscores our support of academics, healthcare and athletics and the opportunities this partnership creates for the community,” stated Luther Deaton, Central Bank chairman, president and CEO. “We will continue to make these three areas a priority in our community outreach, and this partnership is another way to support that objective.”
Previously, the University of Kentucky had announced a $7 million combined gift commitment from Central Bank Vice Chairman and UK graduate, Joan D. Kincaid, and Central Bank for two separate campus improvement projects. The gift is funding the new Kincaid Auditorium in the Gatton College of Business & Economics building and a project to be determined in the Albert B. Chandler Hospital.
With the contract extension, the agreement with UK Athletics and JMI Sports includes: use of UK Athletics marks and logos for product and promotional purposes; official category status with exclusivity across financial services (banking, mortgage, investments, wealth management and trust services); exclusive financial services sponsor of the head coaches for UK Football, Baseball, Men’s & Women’s Basketball (including endorsement rights for each coach); an expansive media and sponsorship package across all UK sports to include, but not be limited to: exclusive sponsorship of the UK media backdrop used for all official UK Athletics media conference and announcements; in-venue signage and video board elements at all on-campus Athletic venues, including sponsorship of the new Press Box at Commonwealth Stadium; wide-ranging presence across the UK Radio Network and various digital platforms, including UKAthletics.com; and VIP entertainment events, tickets and hospitality.
About Central Bank
Central Bank is headquartered in Lexington, KY. With more than 80,000 customers throughout Kentucky, Central Bank serves consumers and businesses with full-service banking, investment, mortgage, insurance and wealth management services, all provided locally. Central Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Central Bancshares, Inc. that operates 26 banking offices and 37 ATMs in Boone, Clark, Fayette, Jefferson, Jessamine, Kenton, Madison, and Scott counties. Central Bancshares is the holding company for Central Bank & Trust Co., Central Bank of Jefferson County, Central Insurance Services and Central Investment Center. Central Bank was recently honored as one of the Best Banks to Work For in America and as a Best Place to Work in Kentucky.
About JMI Sports
JMI Sports is a full-service collegiate marketing firm providing the highest quality management of athletics multimedia rights and breaking new ground in the creation of campus-wide sponsorship programs, maximizing the economic potential of universities. Clients include University of Kentucky, Arizona State University, University of Pennsylvania and the Ivy League. JMI Sports is also a highly regarded project manager for the development of collegiate and professional sports facilities. Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2016, JMI Sports was founded by CEO Erik Judson, and technology entrepreneur John Moores, former owner of the San Diego Padres.