Galaxy lands 15-year Texas Tech stadium naming rights deal
Digital asset and AI infrastructure company Galaxy Digital has signed a 15-year naming rights agreement with Texas Tech, renaming the university’s football stadium Galaxy Stadium beginning with the 2026 season.The partnership also makes Galaxy the official data center and digital assets partner of Texas Tech Athletics, with the companies planning to collaborate on student-athlete name, image and likeness opportunities, artificial intelligence initiatives and workforce development programs.According to Friday’s announcement, the stadium will debut under its new name on Sept. 5, when Texas Tech opens its season against Abilene Christian. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.The deal expands Galaxy’s footprint in West Texas, where it operates the Helios data center campus in nearby Dickens County, about 60 miles east of Lubbock. The site has 1.6 gigawatts of approved capacity for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing (HPC).Related: Bitdeer stock jumps 14% as company expands US mining hardware productionTexas strengthens its crypto industry footprintThe partnership comes as Texas strengthens its position as a hub for the crypto industry, combining major Bitcoin mining investment with growing political influence and pro-crypto legislation.The state is already home to some of the industry’s largest Bitcoin (BTC) miners and digital infrastructure operators, including Riot Platforms, Cipher Mining, Core Scientific, CleanSpark, IREN and Hut 8.In February, Bitcoin mining hardware maker Canaan acquired a 49% stake in three operating Texas mining facilities from Cipher Mining for nearly $40 million, while earlier this month, MARA Holdings announced plans to acquire a 2-gigawatt powered site in Texas to develop a digital infrastructure campus supporting both HPC and Bitcoin mining.Recently, Texas has become a focal point for crypto-backed political spending. In May, industry-affiliated political action committees spent more than $10 million supporting candidates in Texas congressional primary runoffs, with all six backed candidates winning.The state has also backed the industry through public policy. Last year, Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation creating the Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. In May, state officials began transitioning the reserve’s holdings from a spot Bitcoin ETF to directly custodied bitcoin.Texas Senate Bill 21 established the Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Source: Texas LegislatureMagazine: Gambling on random Pokémon cards: Onchain gagcha hits record high as crypto sinks
