Jade Saylors
Fayetteville, Ark.- For the past 40 years, University of Arkansas students have enjoyed Coca-Cola products on campus but that could be changing soon. The University is finalizing a deal that would make PepsiCo the university’s exclusive non-alcoholic cold beverage sponsor and provider, UA officials said. The proposed plan with PepsiCo would cover the next 10 years and if approved will start July 1 with PepsiCo products replacing Coca-Cola products throughout campus.
Donald Pederson, UA’s vice president for finance and administration, said the estimated $19.8 million contract would be the largest beverage sponsorship ever at the university. “The combination of resources the university will receive as a result of this partnership will benefit our students and campus community for years to come,” Pederson said. Under the proposed agreement $7.7 would go to academic sponsorship, licensing and vending support, and $11.2 million would go to athletic marketing and sponsorship as well as $400,000 worth of products for both athletics and academics.
Under the new contract University vending machines, shelves, and soft-drink fountains will be stocked with: Pepsi, Mountain dew, Sierra Mist, Lipton iced teas, SoBe, Aquafina, Tropicana, Gatorade, Rockstar Energy Drink and Muscle Milk, while Dr. Pepper will be available only by soda fountain.
UA Finalizing PepsiCo Contract
