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

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

Rule Changes Salt Lake City, UT local

Five-year extension raises scholarships, adds mobile health clinics to reservation

Today: New five-year agreement signed

Overview

Updated 18 hours 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.
14
Ute students receiving scholarship for 2026-27
Up from three students the previous year.

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People Involved

Mark Harlan
Mark Harlan
Athletics director, University of Utah
In office since 2018
 Lori McDonald
Lori McDonald
Vice president for student affairs, University of Utah
In office
 Shaun Chapoose
Shaun Chapoose
Chairman, Ute Indian Tribe Business Committee
Signed the 2026 memorandum on behalf of the tribe

Organizations Involved

University of Utah
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
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

  1. 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.

  2. Extension granted for one year

    Agreement

    The 2020 agreement is extended to allow time for negotiations on a new deal.

  3. Agreement renewed for five years

    Agreement

    A new memorandum extends the partnership through 2025.

  4. First memorandum of understanding signed

    Agreement

    The university and tribe formalize the name use with a written agreement.

  5. University adopts Utes name with tribal support

    Milestone

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

Scenarios

1

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.

2

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.

Sources

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KSL.com @theU @theU