Howard University’s Department of Athletics has a new corporate partner, and it’s one of the world’s most recognizable brands. Howard Athletics and the local McDonald’s Owner-Operators serving the Greater Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Eastern Shore areas announced a multi-year partnership on July 20 that makes McDonald’s an Official Corporate Sponsor of Howard Athletics. The deal quietly took effect July 1.

The agreement goes beyond signage. According to the university, McDonald’s will have a presence at Howard Athletics games and events throughout the year, and the partnership will include mentorship programs for student-athletes.

“We are extremely thrilled to partner with McDonald’s,” said Howard Vice President of Athletics Kery Davis in the announcement. “This partnership gives both parties an opportunity to impact young men and women while engaging with the community and Bison Nation. We look forward to a long, exciting partnership.”

A Local Deal With National Reach

The sponsorship is structured through McDonald’s local ownership group rather than the corporate office. The Capital Business Unit is made up of 50 local owners and operators who together run 468 McDonald’s restaurants across the Greater Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Eastern Shore markets, the same footprint where much of Bison Nation lives, works and attends games.

“It’s an honor to join Howard’s Athletics department to celebrate and spotlight the next generations’ athletes and leaders,” said Christopher Mann, president of the local McDonald’s Owners and Operators group. “This partnership represents our continued commitment to the community and the many individuals that have been a part of making our brand shine.”

What It Means for the Bison

Corporate sponsorships are a meaningful revenue and visibility channel for athletic departments, and landing a brand of McDonald’s stature is a notable win for a program that sponsors 21 NCAA Division I varsity sports across three conferences: the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, the Northeast Conference and the Eastern College Athletic Conference.

The mentorship component also gives the deal a dimension beyond marketing. Pairing student-athletes with a network of 50 local business owners creates professional exposure that outlasts any single season, a fitting arrangement for a university that has long emphasized leadership development alongside competition.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The full announcement is available on the Bison Athletics website.