Galaxy Digital, a crypto and AI infrastructure firm, announced a 15-year partnership with Texas Tech that includes stadium naming rights and a data center collaboration. The agreement will rename Jones AT&T Stadium to Galaxy Stadium starting in the 2026 season and designates Galaxy as the university's official data center and digital assets partner. Yahoo Sports reported the deal is worth more than $70 million over 15 years, or approximately $4.7 million annually. The partnership aims to strengthen Galaxy's presence in West Texas, where the company operates its Helios data center campus in nearby Dickens County. The deal reflects a growing trend of crypto and AI infrastructure firms forming sponsorship agreements with collegiate athletics programs.
Galaxy Digital Secures 15-Year Texas Tech Partnership for Stadium Naming Rights
The 15-year agreement announced Friday will rename the home of Red Raider football from Jones AT&T Stadium to Galaxy Stadium beginning in the 2026 season. Galaxy will also become the university's official data center and digital assets partner. The deal's financial terms were not disclosed in the official release, but Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger reported the agreement is worth more than $70 million, or roughly $4.7 million annually.
Beyond stadium naming rights, Galaxy will work with Texas Tech athletes on endorsement deals and marketing campaigns. The company will receive branding across the university's football and men's and women's basketball programs at games and online through Texas Tech Athletics' digital and social media platforms.
Galaxy Integrates Helios Data Center Operations with University Recruitment
Galaxy stated it expects to expand its pipeline of Texas Tech graduates to its Helios data center campus located in nearby Dickens County. Galaxy founder and CEO Mike Novogratz said in a statement that Texas Tech is the kind of institution the company wants to be aligned with, noting that at the Helios campus, Galaxy is building infrastructure that powers the code economy.
The company has invested billions of dollars developing its 1.6-gigawatt Helios site, which is one of the largest data center campuses in North America. Galaxy said it delivered 133 megawatts of critical IT load to CoreWeave as the Helios bitcoin mine transitioned into an AI hub.
Ripple and IREN Announce Recent Collegiate and Professional Sports Sponsorships
Last week, Ripple became an official sponsor of the University of Kansas, the alma mater of CEO Brad Garlinghouse. Ripple stated that XRP would become the first cryptocurrency to appear on the jerseys of a major collegiate athletics team. The company also committed to supporting financial and technology education for student-athletes while expanding its recruiting pipeline from the university.
AI cloud provider IREN, a former pure-play bitcoin mining company, signed a jersey-patch agreement with the Golden State Warriors last month. Sportico reported the deal is worth more than $50 million annually, making it the largest sponsorship deal in North American sports.
FAQ
What did Galaxy Digital announce in its partnership with Texas Tech?
Galaxy Digital announced a 15-year partnership with Texas Tech that includes renaming Jones AT&T Stadium to Galaxy Stadium starting in the 2026 season. The agreement also designates Galaxy as the university's official data center and digital assets partner. Yahoo Sports reported the deal is worth more than $70 million over 15 years.
Why is Galaxy Digital partnering with Texas Tech?
Galaxy Digital stated the partnership aims to strengthen its presence in West Texas, where the company operates its Helios data center campus in nearby Dickens County. The company expects to expand its pipeline of Texas Tech graduates to the Helios site and will work with Texas Tech athletes on endorsement deals and marketing campaigns.
