The Texas vs. Texas A&M rivalry returns with a new title sponsor
HOUSTON — Cotton Holdings, Inc., a leading infrastructure support services company operating within the $20 billion U.S. commercial restoration market, has been named the title sponsor of the Lone Star Showdown rivalry between Texas and Texas A&M, it was announced Thursday.
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Per a release, Cotton Holdings will sponsor all head-to-head contests between the two schools across various sports. The rivalry series will include up to 19 sports, where the results will determine the winner of the annual Lone Star Showdown rivalry series trophy. Conference standings will determine points awarded for sports that are not sponsored by both schools.
“Rekindling our historic rivalry with Texas A&M and bringing that back for not only our fans but fans of college sports across our great state, the country, and the world, is so special,” Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte said in a statement. “And we’re so grateful our friends at Cotton Holdings are on board to help amplify that with the Lone Star Showdown rivalry series. I know our fans are going to follow the standings closely.”
Added Texas A&M athletics director Trev Alberts, “The 12th Man is ready for the return of the Lone Star Showdown, and Cotton Holdings is the ideal title sponsor of a rivalry series of this stature. Texas A&M Athletics has a long history with Cotton Holdings, and it is a home-grown, Texas-based company with a global impact. We are proud to partner with an organization that shares our values and commitment to excellence.”
Cotton Holdings founder and CEO Pete Bell chimed in as well: “Growing up in Texas, the rivalry between The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University was legendary. Since founding Cotton, it has been a dream of mine to see our brand represent this series. We are proud to support these two great universities and are extremely honored to serve as the title sponsor for the Lone Star Showdown and the return of their historic rivalry.”
Per a release, Cotton Holdings will receive rights to the Lone Star Showdown and associated intellectual property from both Texas A&M and the University of Texas. The sponsorship package includes season-long fan engagement opportunities, exposure through TV and radio broadcasts, in-venue signage, and featured storytelling on social media. Additionally, both universities will benefit from annual contributions to their respective NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) activation funds, courtesy of Cotton Holdings.
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Texas’ first matchup with the Aggies will be on September 27 when the Longhorns travel to College Station for a volleyball match. The return of the rivalry on the gridiron is scheduled for November 30 in College Station.
