Eli Lilly logo coming to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall court

LILLY, INDIANA ATHLETICS AND PURDUE ATHLETICS ANNOUNCE ICONIC COURT BRANDING PARTNERSHIP

Lilly Becomes First Corporate Brand Featured on the Basketball Courts of Purdue and Indiana, Connecting with Two of College Basketball’s Most Passionate Fan Bases

The multiyear partnership marks Lilly’s first full sports sponsorship in college athletics and creates a unique platform to engage two tradition-rich fan bases while further strengthening Lilly’s longstanding relationships with Purdue University and Indiana University.

“In Indiana, basketball is how communities come together, from packed arenas to driveway dunking,” said Lina Polimeni, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, consumer, at Lilly. “At Lilly, we believe health comes first, and exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have to protect it. We’re proud to partner with Indiana and Purdue Athletics on two of college basketball’s most storied courts and celebrate a game that keeps the whole state moving.”

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Lilly continues to expand its footprint across Indiana, including construction of a major manufacturing campus in Lebanon that is expected to create significant employment opportunities in the state. The partnership is designed to engage fans and elevate awareness of career opportunities at Lilly while strengthening recruiting connections with students and graduates from two of Indiana’s leading universities.

“Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall is one of the most iconic venues in college basketball, and partnering with a world-class, Indiana-based leader like Lilly is a perfect fit,” said IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Dolson. “Lilly’s unwavering commitment to innovation, excellence, and improving lives mirrors our own mission at Indiana University. We are thrilled to welcome Lilly to Branch McCracken Court and celebrate a landmark partnership that elevates our athletic programs and the opportunities for our student-athletes.”

“Purdue and Lilly share a long-standing commitment to innovation, excellence and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others,” said Purdue University Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tommy McClelland. “That shared commitment is what makes this partnership so special. While Lilly’s presence on Keady Court will certainly be visible, the significance of this relationship extends well beyond the basketball floor. These are two great institutions within the State of Indiana with a rich history of working together to advance groundbreaking research and create opportunities that impact lives. We are incredibly grateful for Lilly’s continued investment in Purdue and excited to build upon that relationship in a way that directly enhances the experience of our Boilermaker student-athletes and benefits the broader Purdue community.”

The partnership also reflects the growing connection between higher education and industry leaders across Indiana, helping create pathways for students to explore careers in science, technology, business and manufacturing while remaining in the state after graduation.

“Lilly, Indiana and Purdue each have extraordinary histories of excellence and impact in the state of Indiana,” said Deana Barnes, Executive Vice President, Sports Properties at Learfield. “Creating a platform that authentically connects these brands with fans while supporting future workforce development makes this a truly unique opportunity.”

Through the partnership, Lilly will gain year-round visibility and engagement opportunities across Indiana and Purdue Athletics through a variety of integrated sponsorship activations, highlighted by the prominent placement of the Lilly logo on the courts of both programs.