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Rutgers Athletics and Jersey Mike’s Subs inked a multi-year naming rights agreement for the home of the Rutgers basketball team, the university announced Nov. 3.

The newly named Jersey Mike’s Arena is home to nationally-recognized programs in men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling, gymnastics and volleyball. It will also host future concerts and events.

“Jersey Mike’s is the perfect partner for Rutgers Athletics,” said Rutgers Director of Athletics Pat Hobbs. “Our New Jersey brand extends beyond our borders; it is a state of mind that speaks to our core values of grit and the pursuit of excellence. Jersey Mike’s is an organization also engaged in the relentless pursuit of excellence, so what better partner for the State University of New Jersey?”t

Rutgers and Jersey Mike’s are both New Jersey brands, born and bred, and both have experienced growth and success in recent years.

Rutgers men’s basketball earned its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 30 years and got a first-round win; and women’s basketball continues to add NCAA Tournament berths to its historic record, advancing to its 26th postseason, including 17th consecutive under the direction of Hall of Fame head coach C. Vivian Stringer.

In the same time frame, Jersey Mike’s has grown and now ranks seventh on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500. This was the company’s third year on the top 10 list. Jersey Mike’s was originally a sole storefront in Point Pleasant when then 17-year-old employee Peter Cancro purchased it in 1975. He’s since grown the brand into a national franchise, with more than 2,000 locations nationwide.

Through the partnership, Jersey Mike’s will get significant brand exposure through signage in and around the arena, including exterior stadium signage, scoreboard signage, campus directional signage and logo placement on the court. The sub sandwich chain will also receive promotion through a variety of print, digital, radio and television assets.

Additionally, the brand will have national exposure through live television broadcasts of nearly all home men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling, gymnastics and volleyball matches; and for many of the Scarlet Knights’ sporting events that are streamed online, the Jersey Mike’s brand will be visible.

Van Wagner represented Jersey Mike’s in the negotiations.