UNT, Dallas Cowboys partnership could end up costing more than $7.5 million

[Harry]

The Dallas Cowboys may have no bigger fans than Mean Green nation.

With every home game, with every win, the premier football franchise and its magical season bring more support and attention to the team’s exclusive new higher education partner — the University of North Texas.

“Obviously we are all rooting for the Cowboys to go all the way this year,” said Neal Smatresk, president of UNT.

Earlier this year, UNT officials signed a contract to pay $1.725 million over the next year and a half, and as much as $7.5 million over the next eight years, to be a “proud partner of the Dallas Cowboys.”

Through this agreement, the university gains marketing and exposure on a nationwide level, as UNT is promoted everywhere from the Dallas Cowboys website and stadium to the team’s radio and TV shows on game day.

It couldn’t have come at a better time for the university than now, as the Cowboys hold the best record in the NFL and rookie quarterback Dak Prescott has led the team to eight consecutive wins.

Officials say the goal of the partnership is not just to boost awareness of UNT, but also to bring students unique academic and athletic job opportunities with the world-renowned team.

“We are like the biggest university people have never heard of,” Smatresk said. “We clearly have to change that.

“And this is one of the ways we are going to do that.”

UNT made the first payment of $425,000 for the sponsorship agreement and is gearing up for the second payment, which is due Dec. 1.

read more:

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/education/article115505368.html