Columbia Bank to Name Husky Stadium in $70 Million Deal

The University of Washington Board of Regents approved a licensing agreement with Columbia Bank on Thursday afternoon. The deal grants the bank naming rights to Husky Stadium. The stadium will officially become Columbia Bank Stadium on January 1, 2027.

According to Christian Caple of On Montlake, the contract is worth $70 million over 10 years. This figure makes it the richest annual naming rights deal in college football. The university has not previously sold naming rights for the entire stadium. Alaska Airlines held a sponsorship for the field, known as Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium, until that 10-year agreement expired earlier this year.

Columbia Bank joins a group of signature partners for Washington athletics. The existing partners are Alaska Airlines, PepsiCo, and Starbucks. Under the new contract, Columbia Bank will place its logo on the 25-yard lines at the stadium. This placement mirrors the location used by Alaska Airlines in its previous arrangement.

The university worked with One Roof Sports and Entertainment to structure the deal. One Roof Sports and Entertainment is the holding company for the Seattle Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena. The agreement aims to support the long-term financial well-being of student-athletes. It also seeks to create opportunities for students and alumni across all three UW campuses.

President Robert J. Jones described the partnership in a statement. He called it the kind of relationship great public universities should build. Jones noted that the partnership brings together two institutions with deep roots in Washington. He said the visible expression is the stadium name, but the larger opportunity involves developing collaborations that benefit students, student-athletes, and alumni.

Pat Chun, the athletics director, called the partnership historic in a separate statement. Chun said the deal helps create sustainable resources during a time of extraordinary change in college athletics. He emphasized the goal of investing in the people and programs that define the university. He stated that the partnership will expand opportunities for student-athletes and communities across Washington.

Chris Merrywell, president of Columbia Bank, expressed pride in the deal. He said the bank wants to connect with the next generation of students and business leaders. The university outlined five specific initiatives included in the agreement. These include Debt-Free Dawgs to reduce financial barriers to education. Another initiative is Financial Literacy for Every Husky, which expands access to practical financial education. A third program, NIL to Net Worth, helps student-athletes convert short-term NIL opportunities into long-term financial health. The university also plans a Financial Health Across Washington initiative to strengthen communities using the university's statewide reach and Columbia Bank's regional presence. Additional academic and workforce initiatives are currently in development.

The board voted to approve the contract on Thursday. The name change takes effect at the start of next year. Columbia Bank will begin paying the $70 million in installments over the next decade. The university will use the funds to support the outlined financial and academic programs.