Tallgrass Named First Jersey Patch Partner for Wyoming Athletics

LARAMIE -- No, there will not be natural grass this fall inside War Memorial Stadium.

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Yes, that jersey sponsorship Tom Burman has been talking about for months has finally come to fruition. The additional revenue stream Wyoming's longtime athletics director has been seeking comes from Tallgrass Energy Partners, a Kansas City-based infrastructure company focused on safely, reliably, and sustainably delivering energy.

The logo will appear on Cowboy and Cowgirls basketball uniforms and football jerseys.

As college athletics enters a new era, Wyoming is taking proactive steps to ensure its student-athletes and programs remain competitive. This investment from Tallgrass will provide vital resources to recruit, retain, and support outstanding student-athletes, while also enhancing the experience for fans and the broader community.

The five-year agreement, facilitated by Learfield’s Wyoming Sports Properties, will bring a multi-million-dollar investment to Wyoming Athletics and establish Tallgrass as the presenting sponsor of the Wyoming Kids Club.

Tallgrass has been part of Wyoming’s energy landscape for more than a decade, with hundreds of employees operating thousands of miles of pipelines and other critical energy infrastructure across the state. In recent years, the company has invested more than half a billion dollars in Wyoming and built a strong relationship with the University of Wyoming by sourcing interns from the school, hiring its graduates, establishing the Tallgrass Lounge in the School of Energy Resources, and supporting initiatives like the CO2 Storage Excellence Fund—making this investment in Wyoming Athletics a natural extension of that commitment to the state and its people.

“This is a groundbreaking moment for our athletic programs and the people of Wyoming who support us so passionately. The commitment made by Tallgrass will have an immediate impact on our ability to recruit and retain our best and brightest. We thank them for recognizing the importance of investing in something so important to the people of Wyoming – the Cowboys and Cowgirls,” said Tom Burman, University of Wyoming Director of Athletics. “We’re grateful to Tallgrass for their commitment to current and future generations of student-athletes and look forward to sharing the field and court with them.”

“Wyoming is a special place—and the University has long embodied the grit, determination, and forward-thinking spirit that defines this state,” said Scott Prestidge, Director of State and Local Public Affairs at Tallgrass. “Today’s announcement is about having the backs of the student-athletes who wear Wyoming on their chest and adding some real horsepower to the Cowboy State.”

“Tallgrass has been backing Wyoming long before this deal, and this is a natural next step,” said Rob DeSoto, General Manager of Wyoming Sports Properties. “This isn’t just visibility—it’s meaningful investment that directly impacts our ability to compete, recruit, and grow. We’re intentional about who we align with, and Tallgrass represents this state the right way. That matters to us, and it should matter to our fans every time our teams take the field and court.”

“I really appreciate Tallgrass for this five-year commitment to support our Wyoming Cowboys and Cowgirls,” said Wyoming Governor, Mark Gordon. “These student athletes are often the first contact other areas of the country have with Wyoming and the University of Wyoming. This is the largest corporate partnership in the history of UW athletics and will significantly assist those programs. It is satisfying to see companies like Tallgrass, though headquartered in Colorado, invest in our great university and state.”

Wyoming Sports Properties, the locally based team of Learfield – the leading media and technology company powering college athletics – is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Wyoming Athletics and oversees all sponsorship agreements on behalf of the Cowboys.

About Tallgrass
Tallgrass is a leading infrastructure company focused on safely, reliably, and sustainably delivering the energy and services that fuel our nation and power our quality of life. Tallgrass is an established, industry-leading operator with large-scale, multicommodity infrastructure across 14 states, including more than 10,000 miles of pipelines. Learn more at Tallgrass.com.

About Wyoming Athletics
The University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, Wyo. The home of the Cowboys and Cowgirls, The UW campus sits at 7,220 feet above sea level for the highest elevation in NCAA Division I. Wyoming Athletics offers 17 varsity sports and competes in the Mountain West Conference.

About Learfield
Learfield is the leading 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.

* A UW press release contributed to this report

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