University of Phoenix ending Cardinals stadium sponsorship

Tue., April 11, 2017

In this aerial photo, the playing field for the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game is rolled into the University of Phoenix Stadium, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press)

Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Arizona Cardinals are looking for a new naming-rights partner for their stadium.

The team announced Tuesday that the University of Phoenix wants to ends its 20-year sponsorship with about nine years remaining on the contract.

The University of Phoenix won the naming rights in 2006. The $154.5 million deal paid the Cardinals an average of $7.7 million per year.

Apollo Education Group, the parent company for the University of Phoenix, has been hit with declining enrollment and regulatory scrutiny in recent years.

Ron Minegar, the Cardinals’ executive vice president and chief operating officer, says talks already are underway with a potential new naming rights partner.

He says the University of Phoenix will keep its name on the stadium until a new sponsor is found.

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