WVU on Verge of Naming Rights Deals for Athletic Venues

In an effort to compete in the new landscape of college athletics, WVU is going to have to do everything possible to generate extra revenue.

And while WVU director of athletics Wren Baker has continuously stressed West Virginia will be in position to compete nationally in this era, there’s still a way to take the athletic department’s finances to another level.

Baker admitted during a recent appearance on the “3 Guys Before the Game” podcast that WVU is shopping the naming rights to both Milan Puskar Stadium  and the WVU Coliseum.

“We’re down the path on one naming rights opportunity that’s significant, a seven-figure opportunity,” Baker said. “To be named soon, but we’re shopping both of those. One of those is close. And we’re shopping other things as well.”

Baker acknowledged being aware that some fans will be hesitant to embrace a change in name to two historic venues, but is prioritizing the finical benefit.

“I think with Mountaineer Field, we would probably try to encourage somebody to leave Mountaineer in there, so Three Guys Mountaineer Field, something like that. I know that West Virginians get endeared to tradition, but I’ll tell you something else that I have found that West Virginians are pretty endeared to is winning. If it pencils at an amount that makes sense for us to do, we have to look at it even if it slightly adjusts some of the things on tradition.”

There is no reason why WVU shouldn’t sell the naming rights to anything, most notably a stadium or arena, and yes, that includes the beloved WVU Coliseum. The fact Wren Baker is shopping the rights shouldn’t even be news to anyone who has been paying attention.

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) June 20, 2025

While he didn’t offer an exact timetable, Baker hinted that one deal is “close” and WVU is actively shopping the naming rights to both major venues.

Find more coverage of WVU director of athletics Wren Baker at WV Sports Now.