University of Utah renews Utes name agreement with Ute tribe through 2031

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

The University of Utah signed a new five-year agreement with the Ute Indian Tribe on Sept. 12, extending the school's right to use the Utes name for its sports teams through August 2031. The deal raises scholarship funding for Ute students and adds mobile health clinic visits to the Uintah and Ouray Reservation.

The renewal continues a partnership that dates to 1972, when the tribe first gave its support for the name. It stands out in a national debate where many schools retired Native American mascots and names, showing how tribal consent and direct benefits can keep a name in place.

Why it matters

This renewal shows how tribal approval and financial support can preserve a Native American team name when other schools have cut ties.

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Key Indicators

18,000

Annual scholarship per Ute student

Up from $8,000 per year under the previous agreement.

100,000

Annual tribal payment for education

University pays the tribe each year for educational initiatives, up to $500,000 over the five-year term.

Ute students receiving scholarship for 2026-27

Up from three students the previous year.

Voices

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People Involved

Mark Harlan

Athletics director, University of Utah

In office since 2018

Lori McDonald

Vice president for student affairs, University of Utah

In office

Shaun Chapoose

Chairman, Ute Indian Tribe Business Committee

Signed the 2026 memorandum on behalf of the tribe

Organizations Involved

University of Utah

Public research university

Uses the Utes name under a renewable memorandum of understanding

The flagship public university in Utah, located in Salt Lake City, with athletic teams known as the Utes.

Ute Indian Tribe

Federally recognized Native American tribe

Grants permission for the Utes name use

The tribe for whom the state of Utah is named, with about 2,400 members and a reservation in northeastern Utah.

Timeline

January 1972 September 2026

5 events Latest: Today

Tap a bar to jump to that date

September 2026
New five-year agreement signed
Today Agreement

University of Utah and Ute Indian Tribe renew the memorandum through August 2031, raising scholarships and adding mobile health clinics.
Today
January 2025
Extension granted for one year
Agreement

The 2020 agreement is extended to allow time for negotiations on a new deal.
January 1st, 2025
January 2020
Agreement renewed for five years
Agreement

A new memorandum extends the partnership through 2025.
January 1st, 2020
January 2003
First memorandum of understanding signed
Agreement

The university and tribe formalize the name use with a written agreement.
January 1st, 2003
January 1972
University adopts Utes name with tribal support
Milestone

The Ute Indian Tribe gives the university permission to use its name, beginning a formal relationship.
January 1st, 1972

Scenarios

Utes name continues past 2031

Likely Resolves by Aug 31, 2031

Discussed by: University officials and tribal leaders, who both emphasize the long-standing partnership and its mutual benefits.

The current agreement runs through August 2031. Given the history of renewals every five years and the tangible benefits for the tribe, the university and tribe are likely to sign another memorandum before the deadline, preserving the Utes name for the foreseeable future.

Ute tribe withdraws support, Utes name retired

Unlikely Resolves by Aug 31, 2031

Discussed by: Critics of Native American mascots argue the agreement is insufficient to justify continued use, though few expect the tribe to walk away.

If the tribe decides the partnership no longer serves its interests or national pressure becomes overwhelming, it could decline to renew in 2031. In that case, the university would likely retire the Utes name and adopt a different identity for its athletic teams.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1947-Present

Florida State Seminoles (1947-present)

Florida State University adopted the Seminoles nickname in 1947. In 1970, the university began a formal relationship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which later gave its explicit approval, allowing the university to keep the name and use Chief Osceola's image.

Then

The NCAA allowed Florida State to keep its name after a 2005 ruling, citing the tribe's support as the deciding factor.

Now

The Seminole Tribe and Florida State maintain a partnership that has become the model for colleges with Native American names.

Why this matters now

Shows how explicit tribal consent can shield a school from pressure to drop a Native American name, a precedent Utah now follows.

2005-2008

NCAA Native American mascot policy (2005)

The NCAA ruled that colleges using 'hostile and abusive' Native American mascots or names would be barred from hosting postseason events. Schools could appeal if the local tribe gave explicit approval.

Then

Several colleges retired mascots (e.g., the University of Illinois' Chief Illiniwek), while Florida State, Utah, and a few others retained names after receiving tribal endorsements.

Now

The policy established tribal consent as the key condition for keeping a Native American name in collegiate athletics.

Why this matters now

This policy is the backdrop for Utah's agreement, which formalizes that consent and has kept the university in compliance for two decades.