When fans of Oakland University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams attend home games this upcoming winter, they will enter an arena with a slightly altered name.
In April, Oakland University Athletics struck a 10-year, $5 million naming rights deal with the OU Credit Union. The deal, which went into effect on July 1, allows for the formerly known O’rena to now be called the OU Credit Union O’rena.
“Thank you to the Oakland University Credit Union for this transformational naming rights partnership,” said Oakland University Director of Athletics Steve Waterfield. “OU Credit Union is a longstanding partner with Oakland University and the Athletics Department, and this significant O’rena naming rights agreement elevates this partnership to another level, benefiting each of our sports programs and current and future Golden Grizzly student-athletes for years to come.
I look forward to the Athletics Department’s expanded collaborations with OU Credit Union and the many positive outcomes these collaborations will create for OU Credit Union members, OU and the community,” Waterfield added.
For the first time, the O’rena — which opened in 1998 as Oakland moved from Division II to Division I — will have a company’s name attached to its title.
“As a longtime partner with Oakland University, OU Credit Union is pleased to expand our partnership with Oakland University Athletics with the naming of the O’rena. Through this sponsorship, we are looking forward to expanding our programming with OU Athletics, engaging our members and the campus with events and community programs,” said MSU Federal Credit Union President and CEO April Clobes.
“In a building where teamwork and working together for a common purpose are observed and celebrated, we are so proud that the ‘Oakland University Credit Union O’rena’ will be center stage for a long and mutually beneficial sponsorship,” OU President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz said.
“This is truly a landmark partnership for Oakland University Athletics and OU Credit Union,” said Playfly Sports Properties President Christy Hedgpeth. “Naming rights deals hold immense power and influence to local and regional fandoms, and building an even more comprehensive partnership around that marquee asset will be an impressive case study on brand impact and engagement.
The OU Sports Properties team is eager to start activating these assets for both the Oakland University Athletics community and OU Credit Union to transform the beloved O’rena for the student-athletes and fans.”
The jury is still out as to whether fans will refer to the arena by its full name, or if they will continue to call it the O’rena, but either way, the deal serves as a great opportunity for the university and the credit union to partner.
Season tickets for the 2023-24 OU men’s and women’s basketball seasons went on sale on July 10, as the two teams look to bounce back after losing seasons and first-round Horizon League Tournament exits.
Men’s basketball coach Greg Kampe will be entering his 40th season as head coach of the program, and women’s coach Jeff Tungate will be entering his 10th season with the program.
