SBN

SBN: "Upon further review - Michigan/Ohio State game sponsorship will NOT move forward
An agreement for SBC to sponsor the Ohio State-Michigan football games in 2004 and 2005 will not go forward, officials from both universities announced Wednesday, Oct. 27. Although the institutions were close to an agreement to have SBC support the games and supply funding to other programs at the two schools, the details of the contract could not be finalized to the schools' satisfaction.
Andy Geiger, director of athletics at The Ohio State University , said: 'We were excited about the positive impact the agreement would have on the Department of Athletics, the University and the community. But as we attempted to move forward, it became apparent that this agreement could detract from the great tradition of the game itself. Given that possibility, and the fast-approaching date of this year's game, the two universities agreed it was in their best interest not to pursue the arrangement at this time.
'We are very grateful to SBC for their willingness to participate in this great event, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with them as a corporate sponsor.'"