UConn opposes disclosure of advertisers' contracts

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The University of Connecticut is opposing legislation that could force public disclosure of contracts to do marketing for its athletic teams, arguing it would turn away potential advertisers and hurt the university financially.

Since 1998, marketing the college's athletic programs has been handled by a private firm, IMG College, which pays UConn an average of $8 million annually for the right to negotiate marketing contracts for the university. Under that arrangement, the university says, the contracts are not subject to Freedom of Information laws because the public institution is not a party to the agreements.

The legislation proposed by state Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney, a New Haven Democrat, would require that any contract involving a marketing sponsor and a public college or university be subject to transparency laws.