The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians and its Angel of the Winds Casino Resort have announced a multi-year partnership with the University of Washington Athletics, designating it as the official casino resort partner statewide for the Huskies. “This agreement marks a significant collaboration between two iconic Washington institutions, heralding a new era of sports entertainment,” the parties said in a statement.
“As huge supporters of local athletics, we are incredibly excited to kick off this partnership with UW Athletics,” said Eric White, Chairman of The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians. “This is a dynamic alliance that not only represents a significant milestone for our casino resort but also for Huskies fans and the wider community. We believe this is a great opportunity to share the Stillaguamish Tribal history and culture that has been in this area since time immemorial.”
As part of the deal, Angel of the Winds Casino Resort secures exclusive marketing and promotional rights across the University of Washington’s athletic programs. This includes high-visibility branding at Husky Stadium, Alaska Airlines Arena, and other athletic facilities, as well as a presence during game broadcasts and various digital platforms.
Angel of the Winds’ investment with UW Athletics was approved by the Stillaguamish Tribe. The partnership will highlight “the legacy, culture, and traditions of the Stillaguamish People to UW student-athletes, alumni, and fans,” says the tribe. The investment also includes access for Stillaguamish Tribe members and their families to attend UW home games, youth camps, and clinics.
“This new relationship with the Stillaguamish Tribe and Angel of the Winds Resort Casino opens up exciting avenues to enhance our programs and engage with our fans in new, innovative ways,” said Brandon Forbis, General Manager of Huskies Sports Properties. “We look forward to a collaborative partnership that aligns with our university’s pursuit of athletic and academic excellence, while also exposing the Husky community to the rich culture of the Stillaguamish people.”
The partnership will officially commence with UW’s transition to the Big Ten Conference this fall. The relationship between Angel of Winds Casino and Washington Athletics is managed by Huskies Sports Properties, the locally-based team of media and technology company Learfield.