Marathon + Big Ten®: Fueling Historic Expansion Across the West Coast

The excitement of game day is about to get even bigger. As Marathon Brand renews its role as the Official Fuel of the Big Ten Conference and Presenting Sponsor of the Big Ten Network™, the company is celebrating not only its ongoing partnership but also the conference’s historic expansion. 

This season, the Big Ten welcomes four new West Coast powerhouses: the University of Washington, University of Oregon, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of Southern California (USC). This expansion aligns seamlessly with the growth of the Marathon Brand, which is now in 40 of the 50 states, including those newly home to Big Ten schools—Washington, Oregon and California. 

“With the Big Ten’s expansion, we’re thrilled to broaden our reach and strengthen our engagement with fans across new markets,” said Steve Solomon, Brand Strategy & Innovation Senior Director at Marathon Petroleum. “This partnership not only supports our brand’s growth but also mirrors the dynamic evolution of the Big Ten Conference.”

Marathon’s visibility will be prominent at key events across both men’s and women’s sports, including the Big Ten Football Championship and basketball tournaments, with the brand featured through TV-visible signage, live reads and sponsorships. The company’s involvement spans across football, hockey, baseball and basketball, underscoring its commitment to the Big Ten’s expanded footprint. 

Amber Metzgar, Marathon Petroleum’s Brand Marketing & Performance Manager, added, “As we power up our partnership with the Big Ten, we’re excited to be part of this game-changing season and connect with fans coast-to-coast, offering new and exciting benefits to loyal and first-time customers.”