The University of Central Florida athletic department has filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against one of its sponsors over lack of payment.
As reported by the Orlando Sentinel, citing an earlier report by Orlando Business Journal, the lawsuit claims that UCF Athletics Association Inc. and Core Group Real Estate LLC and CORE RE HOLDINGS LP.entered into a marketing agreement on March 3, 2022, which would designate the company as the “Official Real Estate Partner of UCF Athletics” in exchange for payments totalling $197,500.
Under the agreement, which was set to run through June 30 of this year, the company’s logo would be featured in digital signage at athletic events, as well as in radio advertising, and CORE LLC would receive game-day privileges. The company also would be allowed to use UCF logos and trademarks in advertising.
However, according to the Sentinel, CORE LLC failed to make payments and was eventually served with a written notice by UCFAA for delinquent payments on Sept. 17, 2024. Ten days later, the company filed “Articles of Dissolution” with the state because “COMPANY IS DISSOLVING VOLUNTARY [sic] AND WILL NO LONGER BE DOING BUSINESS UNDER THIS ENTITY NAME.”
According to the lawsuit, UCFAA claims that after filling its Articles of Dissolution, CORE LLC and/or CORE LP accepted benefits under the marketing agreement by hosting a corporate tailgate before UCF’s football game against Colorado last September, and using at least four tickets for admission to the game.
As reported by Matt Murschel of the Sentinel, UCFAA claims that CORE LLC continued to operate, albeit under a new name, as CORE LP to avoid its liabilities. The athletic department is seeking $136,416.67 in damages, plus attorney’s fees, costs, and pre- and post-judgment interest.
The case is scheduled for a non-jury trial, commencing on Sept.14, 2026, in Orange County court.
