Pilot Flying J Announces Four-Year Sponsorship with ESPN and the SEC Network

Anne LeZotte, Senior Communications Manager, Pilot Flying J

Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers in North America, today announced a four-year, multimillion dollar sponsorship agreement with the Southeastern Conference and ESPN to be the “Official Travel Center of the SEC.”

This initiative with the SEC represents the largest sports sponsorship deal the company has executed in its nearly 60-year history.

“This relationship with the SEC is a great fit for our brand – we have deep roots within the region, and it represents a third of our network,” said Whitney Haslam Johnson, chief experience officer for Pilot Flying J. “As an official sponsor of the SEC, we’ll execute a fully integrated marketing plan and leverage the network’s national exposure to build strong brand presence and further position our travel centers as roadside destinations of choice. We’re excited to be part of fans’ gameday experiences while traveling to see their favorite teams, and continue to fuel life’s journeys for all drivers on the road.”

The sponsorship provides exposure for Pilot Flying J on SEC Network programming and within the SEC footprint through SEC Nation, the network’s traveling football pre-game show. Pilot Flying J will be the presenting sponsor of three SEC Nation broadcasts this season. Additionally, Pilot Flying J will activate on-site at SEC FanFare at both the football championship and men’s basketball tournament, as well as marketing presence within all the major SEC sports championship events. Pilot Flying J will have category exclusivity and rights to SEC and SEC Network marks and logos for use in all marketing and promotional efforts, including in-store displays.

“Expanding the Pilot Flying J relationship is testament to the value of an association with college football and specifically the SEC,” said Rob Temple, senior vice president of ESPN Sports Marketing. “We’re looking forward to building on what we started last season and expanding Pilot Flying J’s footprint among our college football audience.”

Added SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, “The SEC is pleased Pilot Flying J has now joined our official sponsor program. The sponsorship of the Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol for last year’s football game featuring Tennessee and Virginia Tech is evidence of their commitment to college sports and their ability to provide support in a demonstrable way. We welcome them to the SEC family of sponsors.”

To further amplify the SEC sponsorship, Pilot Flying J will look to enhance their current media inventory on ESPN by working with SEC Network analyst and radio personality Paul Finebaum. As the “Voice of the SEC,” Finebaum will drive campaign and product messaging throughout the football season with a focus on Fridays leading into game – and travel – weekends.

“Early in my career, I did a piece on professional drivers and spent four days on the road job shadowing. Ever since then, I’ve greatly respected that profession and the important role they play in our country,” said SEC Network analyst and radio personality Paul Finebaum. “I’m thrilled to be working with Pilot Flying J, who serves both professional drivers and passionate SEC fans traveling to games.”

The company’s first major sports initiative was the title sponsorship of the Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol – an iconic college football “border battle” played Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016 between the Virginia Tech Hokies and Tennessee Volunteers. The event at Bristol Motor Speedway shattered the NCAA single-game college football attendance record with a crowd of 156,990 and was later nominated for the 2017 Sports Business Awards “Sports Event of the Year.”

“There is a great sense of family and tradition that comes with college sports,” Johnson added. “You have multiple generations connected by their alma mater, experiencing these events with the same passion and enthusiasm. This new sponsorship with the SEC allows us to speak to them all, and showcase what Pilot Flying J has to offer when they travel.”

Pilot Flying J’s combined network of more than 750 retail locations across North America serves more than 1.3 million customers daily. To learn more, visit pilotflyingj.com or follow Pilot Flying J on Facebook at Facebook.com/pilottravelcenters or on Twitter – @PilotTravel.

About Pilot Flying J

Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers in North America, is committed to connecting people and places with comfort, care and a smile at every stop. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Flying J has more than 750 retail locations in 43 states, 44 Goodyear Commercial Tire and Service Centers and 35 Boss Shops all of which accept MyRewards loyalty cards, Pilot Flying J’s loyalty rewards program. The Pilot Flying J network provides drivers with access to more than 70,000 parking spaces for trucks, 4,900 showers and more than 5,000 diesel lanes offering Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) at the pump.

Pilot Flying J is currently ranked No. 14 on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies. Visit www.pilotflyingj.com for more information.

About SEC Network

The Southeastern Conference and ESPN launched SEC Network on August 14, 2014. The network televises over 45 SEC football games, 100 men’s basketball games, 60 women’s basketball games, 75 baseball games, and other events from across the SEC’s 21 sports annually. Programming includes in-depth analysis and storytelling in studio shows such as SEC Nation, daily news and information with SEC Now, original content such as SEC Storied and SEC Inside, and more. Hundreds of additional live events are available for streaming exclusively on SEC Network’s digital companion, SEC Network+, via the ESPN app and SECNetwork.com. The network is also available in more than 50 countries throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa via ESPN Player, ESPN’s sports streaming service in the region.