Lilly and Purdue Athletics Announce Iconic Court Branding Partnership

INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 30, 2026) – Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly), Indiana University Athletics, Purdue Athletics and Learfield today announced a significant partnership that will place the Lilly logo directly on the basketball courts at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall and Mackey Arena, uniting one of Indiana's most iconic companies with two of the nation's leading college basketball programs.

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.

About Lilly

Lilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for 150 years, and today our medicines help tens of millions of people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges: redefining diabetes care; treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects; advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease; providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders; and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/news, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

About Indiana Athletics

Indiana University Athletics is home to 24 varsity intercollegiate athletic programs and more than 650 student-athletes. Steeped in a rich tradition of academic and athletic excellence in Bloomington, IU athletic programs have combined to win 26 national team championships, including five in Men’s Basketball. Additionally, IU's programs have combined to win 193 Big Ten team championships, and IU's student-athletes have captured 176 individual NCAA titles as well as 61 Olympic gold medals. To learn more about Indiana University Athletics, visit IUHoosiers.com or follow IU Hoosiers on Facebook, X and Instagram.

About Purdue Athletics

The Purdue Boilermakers, an NCAA Division I athletics department and member of the Big Ten Conference, are proud representatives of Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana. With 18 sports programs, the department maintains a vision within a culture of integrity and inclusion that empowers each Boilermaker student-athlete to achieve academic success, triumph athletically, and master leadership behaviors that enhance the pride and reputation of the University.

Purdue Athletics' mission is to develop champions, advance academic success, strengthen leadership capabilities, and promote positive student-athlete well-being. Above all, Boilermakers possess the courage to lead positively in competition, in the classroom and in the community.

About Learfield

Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.