Wilton Rancheria, the Tribe which owns Sky River Casino in Elk Grove, announced last week that they will enter a multi-year partnership with Sacramento State Athletics.
“The new partnership between Sky River Casino and Sacramento State Athletics supports the University's vision of achieving excellence on the field and in the classroom and inspiring pride while also engaging the community at large,” university officials wrote in a release last week.
The partnership kicked off with Saturday’s Causeway Classic football game against UC Davis, of which Sky River Casino was the main sponsor. Sac State’s football team wore special helmets with a tribal design for the first time in the school’s history, honoring the Tribe’s history and culture.
The new partnership went into effect immediately and will continue through June 2027. It includes sponsorship for a 2025 home football game and the 2026 Causeway Classic and is valued at $250,000 over the agreement's duration.
Sac State Athletics Director Mark Orr said the school is thrilled to welcome Sky River Casino and Wilton Rancheria to the family.
“Sky River has been an amazing community partner since its inception and we look forward to working closely together in the future,” Orr said.
This agreement comes just a few weeks after Wilton Rancheria became the majority owners of Sacramento Republic FC and announced plans to help the team build a 12,000-seat stadium in the Railyards.
During the Causeway Classic, that acquisition was highlighted by the Wilton Rancheria. The Tribe also included a special presentation recognizing Native American Heritage Day. And they recognized Sac State’s new Native American College which supports students through recruitment, retention, and academic success initiatives in collaboration with the Esak'timá Center.
Chairman of Wilton Rancheria Jesus Tarango said the partnership with Sac State Athletics not only honors the Tribe’s heritage, but also makes sure that Native students have the support they need to excel.
"It is deeply meaningful to observe Native American Heritage Day at the Causeway Classic and to witness Wilton Rancheria being recognized on the field," Tarango said in a press release. "Supporting initiatives such as the Sacramento State Native American College is of paramount importance to our community, as it empowers our youth and creates opportunities for future generations.”
More elements of the multi-year Sky River Casino partnership with Sac State Athletics that fans will experience at home games include a “Sky River Casino End Zone” VIP area, on-field signage, and a branded tent with promotional giveaways.
Fans will also have opportunities to win prizes during home sporting events. The casino will sponsor in-game activities and promotions at all home football games, including a game titled “High/Low with Sky River Casino,” played with giant playing cards and prizes provided by the casino. Sky River Casino will also acknowledge the partnership in Elk Grove's location.
Editor’s note: Sacramento State is an underwriter of CapRadio.
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