Woody Hayes just rolled over in his grave.
The Ohio State University has its first stadium naming rights deal, teaming up with a Columbus-based company for one of the richest sponsorships in college athletics.
As first reported by Tom Knox of Columbus Business First, the university is set to announce Monday that Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes' home since 1922, will be called Safelite Stadium beginning with the 2017 football season.
EXCLUSIVE: Ohio State partners with Columbus-based Safelite AutoGlass to rename Ohio Stadium. Details here: https://t.co/hCQmf6CE9f pic.twitter.com/zxs5OmlFWz
— Tom Knox (@TomKnocksBiz1st) April 1, 2017
The deal is worth $50 million over 10 years, making it the largest deal of its kind, surpassing the University of Washington's $41 million, 10-year pact with Alaska Airlines.
Safelite AutoGlass, the nation's largest provider of vehicle glass repair and replacement services, will replace the Ohio State athletics logo on the south end zone of the stadium with its own signage.
"The Ohio State University is such a driving force in the Columbus community and beyond," Safelite AutoGlass' advertising director Matt Johnson said. "We look forward to the many benefits this partnership will bring."
Of course, the best part of the deal is that it's been entirely fabricated. But seeing as it's April Fools' Day, we couldn't let the day go by without trying to pull one over on those who don't read all the way to the end of an article.
