The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Athletics Announces Club Naming Rights Partnership with C Spire
3/9/2026 11:00:00 AM | General
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB Department of Athletics and Learfield have announced an enhanced partnership with C Spire to include naming rights of Bartow Arena's new club area pending approval from the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees.
The C Spire Club will be located on the concourse at Bartow Arena's front entrance and is a key component of the facility's $15.4 million renovation project, scheduled to begin following UAB's Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies.
"We are so grateful to C Spire for believing in how the Bartow Arena renovation will impact the UAB and Birmingham communities," said Director of Athletics Mark Ingram. "This transformative partnership and club naming is a key component of the upcoming renovations, and we are excited to have C Spire grow together with UAB Athletics in the years ahead."
Designed to elevate the fan experience, the C Spire Club will combine premium seating with hospitality space to create a connected environment for events held at Bartow Arena. The club is one of four main components of the renovation project, which also includes an entrance lobby expansion, replacement of lower bowl retractable seating, and concourse improvements, including lighting and updated restrooms.
For C Spire, the partnership reflects a long-term commitment to UAB Athletics and the Birmingham region. An advanced technology company, C Spire's mission is to improve lives through technology by delivering customer inspired solutions that transform how people and businesses connect, live, and work. That mission aligns with UAB's role as a community and economic anchor in Alabama.
"The C Spire Club is about creating meaningful connections and experiences while reinforcing our commitment to the region where many of our team members live and work and where we proudly serve our customers," said Brad Carpenter, Chief Operating Officer and EVP, Business Technology, C Spire. "This partnership is an investment in the future of UAB Athletics and the Birmingham community."
This naming partnership enhances an already strong marketing partnership that C Spire has with UAB and Learfield since 2018 and represents a major new investment for UAB Athletics and Bartow Arena.
Blazer Sports Properties, the locally based team of Learfield, is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for UAB Athletics and oversees all sponsorships, in-venue signage, and advertising on behalf of the Blazers. "We are tremendously excited about the enhanced partnership with C Spire, which will provide an unmatched experience for Blazers fans at Bartow Arena for years to come," said Greg Wheeler, General Manager at Blazer Sports Properties.
In January 2026, UAB Athletics made men's basketball season tickets available leading into the Bartow Arena renovations. The pricing and allocation details are included here along with a timeline of important dates to know prior to the 2026-27 basketball season. Fans will select their specific ticket locations during the UAB Basketball priority seating and parking selection process which begins in July of 2026 following a June 30, 2026, basketball priority seat deadline.
About C Spire
C Spire is a privately held national advanced technology company with a proven legacy of innovation. C Spire is elevating connected living by providing customers with fiber-powered smart homes, AI-enhanced experiences while accelerating tomorrow's business growth with secure fiber networks, AI-driven cloud solutions and intelligent collaboration tools. The company, based in Ridgeland, Miss., is a leading fiber internet provider in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee, and an award-winning tech solutions partner for businesses across 49 states. This news release and other announcements are available at www.cspire.com/news. For more information about C Spire, visit www.cspire.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cspire or X at www.x.com/cspire.
About Learfield
Learfield is the 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.
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Media Contact: Courtney Grimes: cgrimes@cspire.com, 601.746.2737
