Houston, Texas (August 22, 2024) – In an exciting development for college sports fans, Cotton Holdings, Inc. has officially signed on as the title sponsor of the Lone Star Showdown rivalry series, which marks the return of one of the most iconic rivalries in collegiate athletics. This sponsorship agreement, in collaboration with Texas A&M Sports Properties and Longhorn Sports Properties, signifies a new chapter in the fierce competition between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Texas Longhorns.

As both universities are set to reunite in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) this fall, Cotton Holdings will have the honor of title sponsoring all head-to-head contests between the two schools across various sports. The rivalry series will include up to 19 sports, where the results will determine the winner of the annual Lone Star Showdown rivalry series trophy. Even in sports without direct head-to-head matchups, points will be awarded based on the final standings in respective conference championships.

The series kicks off with the first head-to-head event on September 27 in College Station with a volleyball match. However, all eyes are sure to be on the gridiron when the 119th football meeting between these two powerhouses— the first since 2011—takes place at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field on November 30.

Pete Bell, Founder & CEO of Cotton Holdings, expressed his enthusiasm about the sponsorship, stating, "Growing up in Texas, the rivalry between The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University was legendary. Since founding Cotton, it has been a dream of mine to see our brand represent this series. We are proud to support these two great universities and are extremely honored to serve as the title sponsor for the Lone Star Showdown and the return of their historic rivalry.”

Headquartered in Houston, Cotton Holdings has been a respected member of the Texas business community since 1996. The company is a global leader in infrastructure support services, with subsidiaries specializing in property restoration, recovery, construction, roofing, consulting, temporary housing, and culinary services for both public and private entities worldwide.

As the title sponsor, Cotton Holdings will receive rights to the Lone Star Showdown and associated intellectual property from both Texas A&M and the University of Texas. The sponsorship package includes season-long fan engagement opportunities, exposure through TV and radio broadcasts, in-venue signage, and featured storytelling on social media. Additionally, both universities will benefit from annual contributions to their respective NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) activation funds, courtesy of Cotton Holdings.

Trev Alberts, Texas A&M University’s Director of Athletics, shared his excitement about the partnership, stating, “The 12th Man is ready for the return of the Lone Star Showdown, and Cotton Holdings is the ideal title sponsor of a rivalry series of this stature. Texas A&M Athletics has a long history with Cotton Holdings, and it is a home-grown, Texas-based company with a global impact. We are proud to partner with an organization that shares our values and commitment to excellence.”

Chris Del Conte, UT’s Vice President and Lois and Richard Athletics Director, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of the rivalry and Cotton Holdings' role in amplifying it: “Rekindling our historic rivalry with Texas A&M and bringing that back for not only our fans but fans of college sports across our great state, the country, and the world, is so special. And we’re so grateful our friends at Cotton Holdings are on board to help amplify that with the Lone Star Showdown rivalry series. I know our fans are going to follow the standings closely.”

ABOUT COTTON HOLDINGS, INC.

Cotton Holdings, Inc. is a leading infrastructure support services company operating within the $20 billion U.S. commercial restoration market. The company’s subsidiaries, including Cotton Global Disaster Solutions, Cotton Roofing, Cotton Logistics, Cotton Culinary, and others, provide a wide range of services, including property restoration and recovery, construction, roofing, consulting, and temporary workforce housing. With headquarters in Houston and an International Logistics Center, Cotton Holdings serves clients across North America and beyond. For more information, visit CottonHoldings.com.

ABOUT LEARFIELD

Learfield is a diversified media and technology company that powers college athletics through a combination of digital and physical platforms. Learfield partners with over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brands, driving revenue, growth, and fan engagement. The company offers a variety of solutions, including licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, custom content, marketing initiatives, and NIL solutions, ensuring a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience. Since 2008, Learfield has been the title sponsor of the Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.