Superintendent recommends 10-year naming-rights deal to raise $145,000 for athletics; board approves

Superintendent Mr. Brock told the Estill County Board of Education on June 18 that an RFP for athletic naming rights produced a single acceptable proposal from PB&T Bank and recommended approving a 10-year agreement that would place roughly $145,000 into the district’s athletics budget over the contract term.

Mr. Brock said the first-year payment in the proposal is $35,000, years two and three would pay $20,000 each, and years four through 10 would pay $10,000 annually. He emphasized that the proposal would not change existing facility names (for example, Hoover Nesefield would remain the facility’s name) but could append a sponsor name such as "Hoover Nesefield at [sponsor complex]." He also said the district would negotiate specific signage and appearance details and that certain requested terms (for example, an 11th-year exclusive negotiating option) were not acceptable and would be removed before execution.

Board members discussed that athletic departments commonly pursue sponsorships and noted the expected funds would support athletic programs and reduce recurring fundraising pressure. The board voted to approve the naming-rights arrangements as discussed and to authorize staff to finalize terms consistent with the board’s exceptions.

The board recorded the motion as carried; the transcript does not include a detailed roll-call tally. Next steps: staff will finalize contract language to reflect the board’s exceptions and return the final agreement for execution.