For the first time, the University of Arizona will add a sponsor’s name to the title of its 53-year-old McKale Center.
The school announced Friday a 15-year, $27.7 million agreement with insurance services firm Alkeme that will result in the school calling its iconic athletic venue "McKale Center at Alkeme Arena."
Arizona said the agreement would result in new branding inside and outside the historic building, as well as "premium hospitality spaces and integrated digital platforms." Changes will roll out in phases.
An Arizona Wildcat fan purchases tickets for Arizona's Round 1 game of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament against UNLV under a March Madness banner at McKale Center, 1721 E. Enke Dr., in Tucson on March 18, 2022.
The announcement follows the renaming of Arizona Stadium in November, when a 20-year, $60 million deal with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe resulted in the football stadium being officially called “Casino Del Sol Stadium."
Arizona reported total athletic department expenses of $139 million in its most recent U.S. Department of Education filing, for the 2023-24 year — before the school began paying its players $20.5 million as a result of last June's House settlement — and Arizona athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois said competing at the highest levels collegiately requires "sustained investment and strong partnerships."
The sponsorship agreement with Alkeme will pay Arizona an average of $1.84 million per year.
The agreement "provides critical resources that allow Arizona Athletics to continue our momentum and position our programs for long-term competitive success," Reed-Francois said. "Alkeme leadership's commitment to education and giving back as Arizona graduates reflects a shared belief in excellence — on the field, in the classroom, and beyond."
Arizona said the deal is the largest publicly known arena naming rights agreement in the Big 12, though Texas Tech has contracted to receive a total of $30 million in naming rights for United Supermarkets Arena since 1996, including a $16 million extension that covers 2020 to 2035.
Arizona said its partnership with Alkeme, a Southern California-based firm run by a UA graduate, also will include collaboration between the firm and the Eller College of Management to develop entrepreneurship and leadership programming for students.
In a joint statement by Arizona and Alkeme, UA president Suresh Garimella said the deal would provide "a platform for experiential education, entrepreneurship and leadership development that advances our commitment to student success and opportunity."
Home to UA’s basketball, volleyball and gymnastics teams — as well as offices and training facilities — McKale has been named solely after former athletic director J.F. “Pop” McKale since its opening on Feb. 1, 1973.
In 2000, its court was formally named “Lute Olson Court” and formally changed to “Lute and Bobbi Olson Court” after Lute’s first wife, Bobbi, died on New Year’s Day 2001.
The pride of Arizona gets the crowd hype before the Wildcats tip off against Oklahoma State at McKale Center, Feb. 7, 2026.
Founded in 2020, Alkeme has offices in 22 states. Its CEO, Curtis Barton, is a UA graduate.
In Friday's statement, Barton said the agreement was a "defining moment" for Alkeme, allowing it to showcase its commitment to innovation, community and growth.
"McKale Center at Alkeme Arena will serve as a platform to expand our presence in Arizona and across Big 12 markets, while creating opportunities for business development and talent recruitment," Barton said. "As a proud Arizona alumnus, this partnership is personal — it's about giving back to a university that shaped my career and helping build its future."
