Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Extends Exclusive Multimedia Rights Agreement with Van Wagner November 7, 2023
Charlotte, NC (November 7, 2023) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and Van Wagner, a leading collegiate athletics marketing agency, have agreed to a new long-term term agreement, cementing the commitment of both organizations to continue their successful collaboration.
The CIAA-Van Wagner partnership was initiated in 2016, joining forces to assist the conference in maximizing the commercial value of the CIAA’s athletic programs and championships. Van Wagner was appointed as the exclusive media rights and license partner to commercialize specific multimedia rights related to the Conference’s athletic programs, assets, properties, and events.
In an ever-evolving landscape of college sports, Van Wagner has played a pivotal role in ensuring the CIAA’s viability and visibility during times of uncertainty. Their expertise has not only sustained the conference but also positioned it for long-term financial stability.
Jacqie McWilliams Parker, CIAA Commissioner, expressed her enthusiasm for the continued partnership, saying, “The partnership with Van Wagner has far exceeded my highest expectations and I look forward to the continued collaboration as we expand and lead in this space. We have been able to transform relationships into true partnerships at both the local and national level which have been instrumental in our growth and success. They have expanded the visibility and interest in CIAA across a diverse market and are without a doubt a key member of the CIAA team.”
Here are some of the CIAA-Van Wagner Team’s recent achievements:
- National Recognition: The team was honored by the national organization for exceeding revenue generation in 2022-23 through sponsorship sales, achieving an all-time revenue record.
- HBCUGO/AMG Deal: In 2023, the CIAA-Van Wagner Team successfully negotiated a groundbreaking 10-year deal with HBCUGO/AMG, further solidifying the conference’s position in the collegiate sports landscape.
- Food Lion Title Sponsorship: The team secured Food Lion as the first title sponsor for the CIAA Basketball Tournament, marking the most significant naming deal in conference history.
- Multi-Year Partnerships: The team executed multiple-year agreements with prominent brands including Under Armour, Coca-Cola, Food Lion, The Home Depot, Nationwide, Wells Fargo, and Wendy’s, enhancing the financial stability and overall strength of the CIAA.
“At Van Wagner, we are truly honored to extend our partnership with the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. This partnership represents more than just a business agreement; it embodies our shared commitment to the vitality of collegiate athletics and championing the enduring spirit of HBCU institutions,” said Mike Palisi, President of Van Wagner College. “We look forward to the continued partnership and delivering unparalleled value for the conference and new opportunities to connect sponsors, fans, student-athletes, and the broader community.”
Van Wagner currently represents colleges, universities, conferences, and associations across the United States and has the fastest-growing team in the industry dedicated to collegiate athletics marketing. This contract extension reinforces the commitment of both the CIAA and Van Wagner to continue their successful partnership and drive further growth and success in collegiate athletics.
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About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 13 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine’s University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
About Van Wagner
Van Wagner is a leading sports advertising and entertainment agency, with global expertise in live events, sponsorship sales, multimedia rights and aerial advertising. Van Wagner creates, advertises and sells on behalf of world-class teams, leagues, brands and properties. An innovator in the sports and media business, Van Wagner is a global leader in high-impact broadcast visible signage throughout the MLB, NBA, NCAA and international soccer, sponsorship sales, college multimedia rights and in-venue content production at the world’s biggest sporting events. For more information visit www.VanWagner.com.