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August 29, 2024 | News Release
Hilton Named Official Hotel Partner of the Big Ten Conference
Saturday primetime football on the Big Ten Network will be presented by Hilton
CHICAGO, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference and Big Ten Network (BTN) today announced a multiyear partnership with Hilton, a leading global hospitality company, as the Official Hotel Partner of the Big Ten Conference.
Hilton will be the presenting sponsor of all Saturday primetime Big Ten football games on BTN. The Big Ten Conference will have access to discounted room rates at Hilton properties throughout the year for employees, student-athletes, and team personnel for more than 4,000 Big Ten events across the network and conference. The partnership will offer premium tickets, on-field experiences and other unique Big Ten experiences exclusively to Hilton Honors members through the Hilton Honors Experiences platform, while also partnering with the Big Ten Conference on an annual community and impact initiative.
“Building on our storied history of delivering Hilton’s signature hospitality to top athletes and fans alike, this partnership reinforces our commitment to providing exceptional stays in the world of sports,” said Mark Weinstein, chief marketing officer, Hilton. “We understand the importance of a reliable and comfortable stay during a busy sports season, and our brands like Hampton by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn and Graduate by Hilton, among others, keep our guests game-ready – whether on the field or in the stands. We look forward to welcoming The Big Ten Conference and Big Ten Network to our properties, offering one-of-a-kind experiences to our Hilton Honors members and creating memorable stay experiences this season and beyond.”
Hilton, with an award-winning portfolio of 24 distinguished brands comprising nearly 7,800 properties and more than 1.2 million rooms, will also have a significant media presence on the Big Ten Network, in-arena signage at Big Ten Championship events, and digital assets on streaming and social platforms across the conference and network.
“We are thrilled to work with Hilton as they become the official hotel partner of the Big Ten Conference,” said Kerry Kenny, chief operating officer, Big Ten Conference. “Their portfolio of hotels across the country are perfectly suited to support the travel needs of our student-athletes, coaches and fans in this first year of our expanded footprint.”
“With an 18-team league and primetime football scheduled for BTN’s first three weeks, including Oregon’s season opener, Hilton joins us at an exciting time as we partner in delivering memorable moments for Big Ten fans from coast-to-coast,” said BTN President François McGillicuddy.
Media Contact:
Pat KennyBig Ten Network, pat.kenny@btn.com
Scott MarkleyBig Ten Conference, smarkley@bigten.org
Cindy Andrade, Cindy.andrade@hilton.com
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 24 world-class brands comprising more than 8,000 properties and more than 1.2 million rooms, in 126 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, was named the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune and has been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for seven consecutive years. Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 195 million Hilton Honors members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
About the Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is an association of world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. The broad-based programs of the 18 Big Ten institutions provide direct financial support for more than 11,000 participation opportunities on 350 teams in 42 different sports. The Big Ten sponsors 28 official conference sports, 14 for men and 14 for women. For more information, visit bigten.org
About the Big Ten Network
A joint venture between the Big Ten Conference and Fox Corporation, Big Ten Network is the first internationally distributed network dedicated to covering one of the premier collegiate conferences in the country. With more than 2,500 live events across all platforms, the 24/7 network is the ultimate destination for Big Ten fans and alumni across the country, allowing them to see their favorite teams, regardless of where they live. The Fox Sports App is the digital extension of the Big Ten Network, delivering live games and on-demand programming to Big Ten Network customers via the web, smartphones, and tablets. Network events include football, men's and women's basketball games, dozens of Big Ten Olympic sports and championship events, studio shows and classic games. With over 2,000 events annually, B1G+ is the subscription streaming service for thousands of live non-televised games, next day on-demand archives, school channels programmed 24 hours a day and access to Big Ten Network's library of previous season classics and original programming. Original programming highlights activities and accomplishments from some of the nation's finest universities, including the Emmy-nominated The Journey. The network is carried by all the major video distributors across the United States and Canada, such as DIRECTV, DISH, Verizon Fios, Spectrum, Xfinity, Optimum, Cox Contour TV, Mediacom, Astound Broadband and approximately 300 additional video providers across North America. Big Ten Network is also available through the majority of streaming providers, including DIRECTV Stream, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV. For additional information, please visit btn.com.
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