Indiana’s two biggest basketball stages are about to carry a new name on the floor.
Eli Lilly and Company will place its logo on the courts at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall and Mackey Arena as part of a multiyear partnership with Indiana University Athletics, Purdue Athletics and Learfield, both schools announced Friday morning. For Lilly, it’s the company’s first full sports sponsorship in college athletics.
The deal gives the Indianapolis-based drugmaker a visible spot on two of the state’s marquee basketball courts, linking it to fan bases that live and breathe the sport. IU and Purdue said the partnership will also strengthen Lilly’s existing ties to both universities.
“In Indiana, basketball is how communities come together, from packed arenas to driveway dunking,” said Lina Polimeni, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, consumer, at Lilly. “At Lilly, we believe health comes first, and exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have to protect it. We’re proud to partner with Indiana and Purdue Athletics on two of college basketball’s most storied courts and celebrate a game that keeps the whole state moving.”
For IU, the logo will appear on Branch McCracken Court inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Scott Dolson, the school’s vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics, pointed to both the venue and the partnership itself.
“Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall is one of the most iconic venues in college basketball, and partnering with a world-class, Indiana-based leader like Lilly is a perfect fit,” Dolson said. “Lilly’s unwavering commitment to innovation, excellence, and improving lives mirrors our own mission at Indiana University. We are thrilled to welcome Lilly to Branch McCracken Court and celebrate a landmark partnership that elevates our athletic programs and the opportunities for our student-athletes.”
Purdue will feature the company on Keady Court at Mackey Arena. Tommy McClelland, the Boilermakers’ vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics, said the relationship reaches beyond what fans will see on the hardwood.
“Purdue and Lilly share a long-standing commitment to innovation, excellence and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others,” McClelland said. “That shared commitment is what makes this partnership so special.
While Lilly’s presence on Keady Court will certainly be visible, the significance of this relationship extends well beyond the basketball floor. These are two great institutions within the State of Indiana with a rich history of working together to advance groundbreaking research and create opportunities that impact lives.
We are incredibly grateful for Lilly’s continued investment in Purdue and excited to build upon that relationship in a way that directly enhances the experience of our Boilermaker student-athletes and benefits the broader Purdue community.”
Lilly said the partnership is meant to do more than create a new piece of court branding. The company, headquartered in Indianapolis, is also expanding its footprint in Indiana, including construction of a major manufacturing campus in Lebanon that is expected to create significant employment opportunities in the state.
The schools and Lilly said the arrangement is designed to build awareness of career opportunities at the company and deepen recruiting connections with students and graduates from both universities. The broader goal, according to the announcement, is to help create pathways for students interested in science, technology, business and manufacturing while encouraging them to stay in Indiana after graduation.
Deana Barnes, executive vice president, sports properties at Learfield, said the partnership fits that larger picture.
“Lilly, Indiana and Purdue each have extraordinary histories of excellence and impact in the state of Indiana,” Barnes said. “Creating a platform that authentically connects these brands with fans while supporting future workforce development makes this a truly unique opportunity.”
Through the agreement, Lilly will also receive year-round visibility and engagement opportunities across Indiana and Purdue Athletics through integrated sponsorship activations, with the court logos serving as the most prominent part of the deal.
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