Butler University in Indianapolis has named Learfield Sports to represent Bulldog Athletics' multimedia rights through the 2024-25 collegiate athletic season, according to a Learfield news release.
This collaboration begins with the 2015-16 season and will assist Butler's ongoing efforts to provide an exceptional student-athlete experience and support the institution's 19 NCAA Division I teams as they compete at the highest level.
Butler Sports Properties, a Learfield entity, will manage aspects of the Bulldogs' multimedia rights, including signage, digital, corporate sponsorships, hospitality, event marketing, local television, radio play-by-play and coaches' shows. This collaboration builds upon Butler's existing relationships with Learfield Sports' companies Learfield Licensing Partners and ANC, which installed a new scoreboard and digital signage inside Hinkle Fieldhouse in 2014.
Learfield veteran Willis Cheaney - an Indiana native and former college basketball player - has been named general manager for Butler Sports Properties and will assemble a team to work alongside Barry Collier, Butler University vice president and director of athletics, and the athletic administration. Cheaney previously served as a sales leader with Indiana University Sports Properties, managed the Crossroads Classic basketball tournament, and worked for three years as the director of minority recruitment, retention and outreach at Indiana University-Bloomington. Joe Gentry, Butler's director of corporate partnership, will continue his efforts in the department on the external operations staff.