Van Wagner and Central Michigan Athletics Announce Multi-Year Multimedia Rights Partnership
8/19/2025 11:00:00 AM | General, Our Stories
Van Wagner has named Central Michigan graduate Pete Maniez as General Manager to lead Central Michigan Athletics Sponsorships, based in Mount Pleasant.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.–Central Michigan University Athletics and Van Wagner have announced a landmark multi-year multimedia rights partnership that will elevate the Chippewas' brand visibility across digital, social and traditional platforms. Under the agreement, Van Wagner will serve as the exclusive multimedia rights partner for CMU Athletics, overseeing content creation, distribution and sponsorship activation to enhance fan engagement and drive new revenue opportunities.
"We are thrilled to join forces with Van Wagner," said Amy Folan, Zyzelewski Family Vice President/Director of Athletics. "Van Wagner is a perfect fit for us as we expand our footprint for Central Michigan Athletics. Their expertise in multimedia sales and sponsorship activation will be instrumental in amplifying our student-athletes' stories and bring our fans closer to the action. This partnership represents a significant step forward in our commitment to innovate in how we connect with the campus community and Chippewa alumni worldwide."
Van Wagner has named Pete Maniez as General Manager to lead Central Michigan Athletics Sponsorships, based in Mt. Pleasant. Maniez, a Chippewa alumnus from St. Johns, MI, has previous experience in athletics marketing at Central Michigan and Penn State in addition to serving on the sponsorship team representing Michigan State.
Van Wagner currently represents several other institutions within the Mid-American Conference, including Kent State, Miami (OH), Northern Illinois, and Western Michigan, providing them with a deep understanding of the conference landscape and its unique opportunities.
"We're honored to partner with Central Michigan University and thrilled to work alongside Athletic Director Amy Folan, whose leadership and vision for CMU Athletics are inspiring," said Mike Palisi, President of Van Wagner College. "We look forward to building on the university's proud tradition and engaging the passionate Chippewa fan base through innovative content and sponsorship strategies. With our expanding presence in the MAC this collaboration further strengthens our commitment to the conference and its member institutions."
Central Michigan University Athletics sponsors 16 NCAA Division I varsity sports and is a member of the Mid-American Conference. The Chippewas field competitive teams in football, basketball, soccer, cross country, and more, committed to excellence in both academics and athletics.
About Central Michigan
Central Michigan Athletics Department is an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision institution and a member of the Mid-American Conference. The department is made up of 17 sports—baseball, men's basketball, women's basketball men's cross country, women's cross country, field hockey, football, men's golf, women's golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, soccer, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field, volleyball, and wrestling. CMU Athletics supports more than 425 student-athletes through its three core pillars of the student-athlete experience, the fan experience, and being leaders in the MAC.
About Van Wagner
Van Wagner is a leading sports advertising and entertainment agency, with global expertise in live events, sponsorship sales, multimedia rights and aerial advertising. Van Wagner creates, advises and sells on behalf of world-class teams, leagues, brands and properties. An innovator in the sports and media business, Van Wagner is a global leader in high-impact broadcast visible signage throughout the MLB, NBA, NCAA and international soccer, sponsorships sales, college multimedia rights and in-venue content production at the world's biggest sporting events. For more information, visit www.vanwagner.com.
"We are thrilled to join forces with Van Wagner," said Amy Folan, Zyzelewski Family Vice President/Director of Athletics. "Van Wagner is a perfect fit for us as we expand our footprint for Central Michigan Athletics. Their expertise in multimedia sales and sponsorship activation will be instrumental in amplifying our student-athletes' stories and bring our fans closer to the action. This partnership represents a significant step forward in our commitment to innovate in how we connect with the campus community and Chippewa alumni worldwide."
Van Wagner has named Pete Maniez as General Manager to lead Central Michigan Athletics Sponsorships, based in Mt. Pleasant. Maniez, a Chippewa alumnus from St. Johns, MI, has previous experience in athletics marketing at Central Michigan and Penn State in addition to serving on the sponsorship team representing Michigan State.
Van Wagner currently represents several other institutions within the Mid-American Conference, including Kent State, Miami (OH), Northern Illinois, and Western Michigan, providing them with a deep understanding of the conference landscape and its unique opportunities.
"We're honored to partner with Central Michigan University and thrilled to work alongside Athletic Director Amy Folan, whose leadership and vision for CMU Athletics are inspiring," said Mike Palisi, President of Van Wagner College. "We look forward to building on the university's proud tradition and engaging the passionate Chippewa fan base through innovative content and sponsorship strategies. With our expanding presence in the MAC this collaboration further strengthens our commitment to the conference and its member institutions."
Central Michigan University Athletics sponsors 16 NCAA Division I varsity sports and is a member of the Mid-American Conference. The Chippewas field competitive teams in football, basketball, soccer, cross country, and more, committed to excellence in both academics and athletics.
About Central Michigan
Central Michigan Athletics Department is an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision institution and a member of the Mid-American Conference. The department is made up of 17 sports—baseball, men's basketball, women's basketball men's cross country, women's cross country, field hockey, football, men's golf, women's golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, soccer, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field, volleyball, and wrestling. CMU Athletics supports more than 425 student-athletes through its three core pillars of the student-athlete experience, the fan experience, and being leaders in the MAC.
About Van Wagner
Van Wagner is a leading sports advertising and entertainment agency, with global expertise in live events, sponsorship sales, multimedia rights and aerial advertising. Van Wagner creates, advises and sells on behalf of world-class teams, leagues, brands and properties. An innovator in the sports and media business, Van Wagner is a global leader in high-impact broadcast visible signage throughout the MLB, NBA, NCAA and international soccer, sponsorships sales, college multimedia rights and in-venue content production at the world's biggest sporting events. For more information, visit www.vanwagner.com.
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