USC and United Airlines agree to name field at the Coliseum

The University of Southern California and United Airlines have announced an agreement to name the field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Beginning in August, the venue will be referred to as United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

USC and United worked together to reach a 10-year agreement that retains the original venue name while still supporting funding to restore and preserve the Coliseum. The $315 million renovation project upgrades facilities and amenities for fans, athletes and the community.

The naming of the field is a significant step in USC’s efforts to usher in a modern era for this historic landmark and preserve its legacy.

Wanda M. Austin

“USC is honored to be the caretaker of this Los Angeles treasure and, together with United, we are ensuring the Coliseum’s future as a world-class venue,” said USC interim President Wanda M. Austin. “The naming of the field is a significant step in USC’s efforts to usher in a modern era for this historic landmark and preserve its legacy. Through this process, USC was guided by doing the right thing for the community as we continue to honor our veterans. We look forward to the opening of United Airlines Field within the newly renovated Coliseum this summer.”

“United has a long history in Los Angeles, serving the city for more than 80 years,” said Janet Lamkin, regional president of California for United Airlines. “With so many employees, many of whom are proud veterans themselves, and customers that travel to or call the area home, this sponsorship is a meaningful way to underscore our commitment to California.

“We always want to do what is best for the communities in which we operate – and in this case, reaching an agreement which upholds the name of such a respected venue while modernizing it for the benefit of future generations was the right thing to do.”

With the field naming comes a win for veterans

In addition to the stadium’s renovation, as part of this new agreement USC and United worked together to identify additional ways to honor local veterans including providing support for veterans who attend USC as well as erecting a memorial in honor of veterans at the Coliseum. More details on these initiatives will be shared as the programs are finalized.

“I am pleased that USC and United have come together in a way that will honor the memories of veterans who served in World War I and our broader community of veterans,” said Janice Hahn, president of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission. “This agreement ensures that United Airlines remains an important corporate sponsor of the Coliseum renovation project and that the legacy of the Coliseum remains. I am proud that we are moving forward with a shared commitment to veterans.”

Coliseum renovation: A big boost for local workers

The Coliseum renovation has employed more than 2,600 workers, including veterans, and more than 800,000 hours of labor have gone into the project.

“The Coliseum renovation has provided jobs and job training for veterans, and it’s been a big boost for veteran-owned businesses like mine,” said Ken Mulvey, a retired member of the Marines who operates a construction supply outfit that has worked on the Coliseum renovation, along with other major construction jobs in and around Exposition Park.

“This is a job I’m proud to be part of,” Mulvey said. “The Coliseum is better than ever. It stands as a memorial to World War I veterans, a community landmark and a great place to watch the Trojans play.”

The Coliseum — jointly owned by the state, the county and the city of Los Angeles — is managed and operated by USC under a long-term lease that extends through 2111.