The University of Washington has leveled up its game this week, announcing an unprecedented partnership and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with Blizzard Entertainment as World of Warcraft hits its 20-year milestone. Dubbed the “University of Warcraft,” the collaboration marks a bold first for both UW and Blizzard, transforming the university’s identity and Husky Stadium into a WoW-inspired spectacle for Friday’s football showdown against the UCLA Bruins.
With an entire week dedicated to celebrating the World of Warcraft universe, fans, students, and players will witness Husky Stadium transformed in ways never before seen on a college campus. The collaboration kicks off with an exclusive, custom “University of Warcraft” logo and visual overhaul using Blizzard’s iconic WoW assets. The gaming motif will extend to everything from in-stadium branding to digital content across social platforms, all designed to build excitement toward Friday’s epic game.
In a first for NIL deals, a roster of UW football players—Carson Bruener, Denzel Boston, Jonah Coleman, and others—has teamed up with Blizzard to create custom “University of Warcraft” content that blends the spirit of WoW with the passion of Husky football. The players will appear as virtual versions of themselves in World of Warcraft-themed content during the game, adding to a social media blitz leading up to the main event. This integration marks a creative new frontier in NIL collaborations, giving athletes a chance to merge their on-field presence with the cultural phenomenon of online gaming.
When the Huskies take the field against UCLA, they’ll be led by World of Warcraft mascots, bringing beloved characters from Azeroth into the heart of Husky Stadium. Fans will also get to explore a World of Warcraft-themed fan zone, featuring meet-and-greet moments with game characters, making the experience immersive from the tailgate to kickoff.
The World of Warcraft takeover will be woven into nearly every aspect of the game-day experience, with exclusive WoW visuals splashed across the video boards and special WoW-themed shirts handed out to the student section. Throughout the game, fans can catch their favorite Huskies—Will Rogers, Carson Bruener, Kamren Fabiculanan, Denzel Boston, and Jonah Coleman—displayed as custom, in-game World of Warcraft avatars, appearing both on stadium screens and in social media, building on Blizzard’s anniversary buzz.
“We’re excited to partner with Blizzard Entertainment in a groundbreaking collaboration that brings together the worlds of sports and gaming, highlighting our shared commitment to innovation and creativity,” said Kurt Svoboda, UW’s Deputy Athletic Director for External Relations. “Our players have had the unique chance to contribute to Blizzard’s 20th-anniversary celebration, gaining valuable insights into the creative production process behind an iconic brand. We look forward to Friday’s World of Warcraft takeover at Husky Stadium, where two powerhouse brands will come together for an unforgettable experience.”
The partnership was coordinated by Huskies Sports Properties, the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Washington Athletics, in association with Learfield, the media and tech company driving college sports sponsorships. With this bold initiative, the University of Washington and Blizzard are setting a new standard for the NIL landscape, merging the vast worlds of college sports and online gaming to create a truly unique fan experience.
