Discover the First Presenting Sponsor of the Big Ten Football
Championship Game
RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Discover, the Big Ten Conference and the Big Ten Network today announced
Discover as the official credit card of the 14-school conference. The
agreement, executed in conjunction with FOX Sports, includes the first
ever presenting sponsorship of the Big Ten Football Championship Game
televised on the FOX broadcast network. The multi-year agreement enables
Discover to engage with one of the nation’s largest fan bases, student
populations and alumni networks across a multitude of platforms,
including nationally televised Big Ten sporting events on FOX, FS1 and
the Big Ten Network (BTN), as well as on digital and streaming platforms
such as FOX Sports GO and BTN2Go apps. Discover will also have a
physical presence through on-site activities at select Big Ten events,
including the Big Ten Football Championship Game Presented by Discover.
“Being the official credit card of the Big Ten Conference is an
opportunity for Discover to meaningfully connect with one of the most
passionate and dedicated fan and alumni bases in the country, and to
support student-athletes as they pursue their dreams on the playing
field and in the classroom,” said Vijay Konduru, vice president of media
and sponsorships at Discover. “I was fortunate enough to attend two Big
Ten schools, and have first-hand experience of the loyalty the students
and alumni have for the conference. Those strong bonds mirror the
relationship Discover aims to build with our cardmembers, and now fans
of the Big Ten Conference, by offering a variety of financial products
and tools, to go along with award-winning customer service.”
The 2017 Big Ten College Football Championship Game Presented by
Discover will take place on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Ind., at
Lucas Oil Stadium and will be televised live on FOX. This deal marks the
first time in the championship game’s seven-year history that there will
be a presenting sponsor. Discover will have a significant brand presence
at the event, including on-field and in-venue logo and signage and
additional on-site activities.
“Given its location and ties to the Big Ten, we’re thrilled to welcome
Discover as the official credit card of the Big Ten Conference, as well
as first presenting sponsor for the Big Ten Football Championship Game,”
said Jim Reeder, vice president of sales at Big Ten Network. “Discover
recognizes the scope of the Big Ten fan base and how critical it is to
reach them wherever they are, including at home, on campus or at
championship events. We look forward to helping support those efforts.”
“FOX Sports is thrilled to welcome Discover as the first ever presenting
sponsor of the Big Ten Football Championship Game, which has been
broadcast annually on FOX since it was first played in 2011,” said Mike
Petruzzi, FOX Sports senior vice president, advertising sales. “The Big
Ten Football Championship Game has established itself as one of the most
exciting and nationally important contests of the season, and we look
forward to showcasing Discover as part of our broadcast.”
About Discover
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment
services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S.
financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become
one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues
the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers private
student loans, personal loans, home equity loans, checking and savings
accounts and certificates of deposit through its direct banking
business. It operates the Discover Network, with millions of merchant
and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit
networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with
acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more
information, visit www.discover.com/company.
About the Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is an association of world-class universities
whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate,
professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. Founded in
1896, the Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices
and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of
students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the values
of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. The broad-based programs of
the 14 Big Ten institutions will provide over $200 million in direct
financial support to more than 9,500 students for more than 11,000
participation opportunities on 350 teams in 42 different sports. The Big
Ten sponsors 28 official conference sports, 14 for men and 14 for women,
including the addition of men’s ice hockey and men’s and women’s
lacrosse since 2013. For more information, visit www.bigten.org.
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Source: Discover Financial Services