Tennessee is blatantly copying Kentucky's grocery store stadium model

In 2017, Kentucky Football paved the way for college stadiums sponsored by grocery stores when Big Blue Nation’s beloved Commonwealth Stadium was renamed Kroger Field. Since going Krogering, the Wildcats are 30-12 at home, with four new bowl game trophies added to the display case during that span.

Seeing Kentucky’s success, today, the University of Tennessee announced it will blatantly copy the Kroger Field model by naming the Vols basketball arena, Thompson-Boling Arena, to Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. The Vols’ tie to the supermarket chain is obviously a copycat effort to bring more basketball wins to Knoxville, as Kroger did for Mark Stoops’ program some six years ago.

Furthermore, Tennessee is also imitating UK Athletics’ connection to Virginia. Since 2016, Kentucky’s teams and campus have saluted the Virginia-born Secretariat with a checkerboard pattern resembling Secratariat’s silks. Food City is headquartered in Virginia.

What’s that saying about imitation and flattery?

Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Facts

— With the new naming rights, Thompson-Boling at Food City will undergo a major renovation. Upgrades include a center-hung video board, new premium spaces, and club seating.

📍 Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center

10-year, $20 million naming-rights agreement will aid in new and needed arena renovations:

• new center-hung video board
• updated exterior and entrances
• new premium spaces and clubs
• continued elevation of additional upgrades

— Tennessee Athletics (@Vol_Sports) August 23, 2023

— Thompson-Boling at Food City’s first event is this Friday, August 25, when Tennessee Volleyball hosts Texas State.

— Last February, Kentucky Sports Radio reported Tennessee Basketball hangs banners for NIT appearances. By pure coincidence, Tennessee removed its NIT appearance banners two months later.

— Also last February, Tennessee was a double-digit home favorite against a struggling Kentucky team. Still, Kentucky won in the building formerly known as Thompson-Boling Arena (not at Food City Center) by seven points, 63-56.

— Kentucky Basketball won a total of nine games in the 2020-21 season, one of which was a 15-point victory over the 19th-ranked Vols in Thompson-Boling Arena.

— Former Kentucky star Jodie Meeks once scored 54 points in Thompson-Boling Arena (not at Food City Center). Meeks’ 54-point game is still a school record.