UAB Medicine Expands Partnership with UAB Athletics

Five-year agreement includes new UAB Medicine branding across football, basketball, baseball and softball

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Two of the University of Alabama at Birmingham's key brand drivers, UAB Athletics and UAB Medicine, announced an expanded five-year partnership Monday that will significantly increase UAB Medicine's presence across Blazer Athletics, including new branding on select UAB uniforms and competition equipment.

As part of the expanded relationship, the UAB Medicine logo will be featured on the primary game jerseys for both UAB men's and women's basketball. UAB Medicine branding will appear on football helmet bumpers as well as baseball and softball helmets.

"UAB's academic, athletics and health care enterprises are all united by a shared commitment to excellence and service," said UAB President Ray Watts. "Expanding the presence of UAB Medicine alongside our student-athletes strengthens that connection and showcases the impact UAB has on the lives of people in Birmingham and beyond."

The new agreement builds upon UAB Medicine's existing marketing partnership with UAB Athletics and further connects two of the University of Alabama at Birmingham's most visible entities.

"As Alabama's largest academic medical center, UAB Medicine is honored to deepen our relationship with UAB Athletics," said Dawn Bulgarella, CEO of UAB Health System. "This partnership creates new opportunities to showcase the important role health care plays in helping individuals and communities thrive while strengthening awareness of the care, innovation and expertise that define UAB Medicine."

For UAB Athletics, the agreement represents another opportunity to align the Blazers with one of UAB's most recognizable and impactful brands while expanding the visibility of UAB Medicine through high-profile athletic competition.

"UAB Medicine is synonymous with excellence, not only on our campus but throughout Birmingham and beyond, and we are incredibly proud to have that name represented alongside our student-athletes," said Interim Director of Athletics and Men's Basketball Head Coach Andy Kennedy. "This expanded partnership is a meaningful investment in UAB Athletics and in the young men and women who represent this university every day. Having the UAB Medicine mark on our uniforms and equipment is a visible reminder that we are all part of one UAB, and we're grateful for their continued commitment to the Blazers."

UAB Medicine's expanded branding will begin immediately, with the new football helmet bumper scheduled to debut this season. The UAB Medicine marks will be incorporated into the respective competition uniforms and equipment for men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball and softball.

The agreement includes:

• Football: UAB Medicine branding on helmet bumpers
• Men's Basketball: UAB Medicine primary jersey logo
• Women's Basketball: UAB Medicine primary jersey logo
• Baseball: UAB Medicine helmet branding
• Softball: UAB Medicine helmet branding

The new elements supplement UAB Medicine's existing UAB Athletics marketing package and represent an increased commitment to supporting Blazer student-athletes and programs.

"UAB Athletics and UAB Medicine were really innovative in expanding their already comprehensive partnership to leverage high-visibility assets spanning multiple sports," said Jeff Purinton, Executive Vice President of Sports Properties at Learfield. "This is a monumental moment for UAB Athletics and will keep UAB Medicine at the forefront with the Blazers year-round."

The partnership was developed in collaboration with Blazer Sports Properties, the locally based team of Learfield and exclusive multimedia rights partner of UAB Athletics, and will run for five years.

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KIDS 12 AND UNDER FREE FOR EAST CAROLINA GAME
UAB Athletics has announced that kids ages 12 and under will receive FREE admission to the Blazers' home game against East Carolina on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m. CT at Protective Stadium. Fans can redeem the offer online using promo code U12FREE and must purchase at least one reserved ticket through the promotion to receive complimentary youth tickets. The promo code is valid until 2:30 p.m. CT on Oct. 15.

After the online promotion expires, families can still take advantage of the offer at the Protective Stadium box office by purchasing at least one reserved ticket. Fans may also contact the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at (205) 975-8221 for assistance. Individual game tickets can be purchased by clicking here, while group tickets and fan experience packages are available by clicking here.

About UAB Health System
The $8 billion UAB Health System comprises the patient-care activities of the University of Alabama at BirminghamMarnix E. Heersink School of Medicine and more than 3,500 licensed beds in a system of 15 owned, affiliate and network entities across the state. This includes UAB Hospital, which is the 5th largest in the nation, which is home to the states first and highest volume Level I trauma center (now undergoing a $73 million expansion) and is consistently named by U.S. News & World Report as the top hospital in Alabama.
UABHS encompasses the largest multi-specialty group of health care professionals in Alabama serving patients from every state in the nation and many countries around the world; UAB Hospital-Callahan Eye, the only specialty eye hospital in Alabama and one of only a few in the world entirely dedicated to advancements in ophthalmology; and Viva Health which serve more than 105,000 Alabamians through Medicare or employer-sponsored health plans. In 2024, UAB acquired the Ascension St. Vincent's Health System, adding 5 hospitals and 19 ambulatory facilities to meet the healthcare needs of Alabamians.

UABHS is committed to providing more than $256 million in world-class charity care. UAB is advancing innovative discoveries for better health as a three-time recipient of the prestigious Center for Translational Science Award.

About Learfield
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield's presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative revenue generation solutions, student-athlete marketing initiatives, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors' Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.

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