Kentucky Mobile Launches Wireless Plans With A Purpose For Big Blue Nation
LEXINGTON, KY [SEPTEMBER 10, 2026] — Big Blue Nation shows up everywhere, from the student section at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, to the faculty and staff in the stands at Kentucky Proud Park, to the alumni proudly wearing UK gear long after graduation. Now, the University of Kentucky and UK Athletics are introducing a new wireless service built to match the loyalty of this one-of-a-kind fan community.
Today, the University of Kentucky, UK Athletics, and the UK Alumni Association are officially announcing a partnership with Collegiate Mobile to launch Kentucky Mobile, the first wireless service of its kind at the University of Kentucky, delivered on a nationwide 5G network and designed specifically for Big Blue Nation. With Kentucky Mobile’s affordable, reliable wireless service, Wildcat fans can stay connected while simultaneously supporting University of Kentucky and UK Athletics programs simply by paying their phone bill.
“Members of Big Blue Nation are distinctively proud to support the Wildcats however they can, and Kentucky Mobile gives them a creative new way to do that,” said J Batt, UK Athletics Director and CEO of Champions Blue LLC. “This service enables fans, alumni, students, faculty, and staff to stay connected while also supporting the University of Kentucky in the way that matters most to them. Whether a customer chooses to support athletics, scholarships, or campus and community programs, Kentucky Mobile is an innovative way to turn something they already use every day into a meaningful way to give back.”
Wireless Plans Built for Every Wildcat
Kentucky Mobile is not a one-size-fits-all phone plan. It is designed with competitive pricing built specifically for the people who make up Big Blue Nation, with wireless options available for students, faculty and staff, alumni, and fans:
- Students can choose flexible wireless plans built around everyday campus life, ranging from $15/month to $35/month.
- UK Faculty and Staff receive discounted plans as a ‘thank you’ for all they do to make Lexington a special place to call home, ranging from $16/month to $36/month.
- Alumni and Fans can select the wireless plan that works best for their needs, ranging from $20/month to $45/month with options built around everyday value and flexibility.
No matter which plan you choose, Kentucky Mobile delivers the same core benefits that make it the best choice for Big Blue Nation:
- Flexible wireless plans with no contracts or hidden fees.
- Ability to keep your current phone model and phone number.
- Affordable and reliable service on a nationwide 5G network.
- Automatic support for University of Kentucky or UK Athletics programs with every payment.
“Kentucky Mobile is about bringing the entire UK community – students, faculty, alumni, and fans across Kentucky and beyond – closer to the university they love, while giving them an easy way to give back,” said Joe Phillips, CEO of Collegiate Mobile. “The University of Kentucky is more than a team; it is an institution that shapes lives across the state and beyond. Kentucky Mobile turns an everyday service into a way for Big Blue Nation to invest in UK’s future, from the campus to the community.”
Your Bill. Your Choice. Your Impact.
Every Kentucky Mobile payment automatically generates a contribution to the University of Kentucky or UK Athletics program of the customer’s choice at no additional cost and with no separate donation required — just a wireless plan that turns a recurring monthly bill into ongoing support for the programs that matter most to them.
When signing up for a Kentucky Mobile plan, customers can choose where their contributions will make an impact from the following options:
- UK Athletics: Support for UK Athletics initiatives, including recruiting and retention, facility enhancements, and additional resources that keep all Wildcat teams competitive.
- UK Student Scholarships: Investment in the futures of students who represent the very best of the University of Kentucky every day and are poised as the next generation of changemakers.
- Campus & Community Programs: Support for the programs and initiatives that strengthen the UK community on-campus and beyond.
“The UK Alumni Association is proud to partner with Kentucky Mobile. Their generous support helps us continue providing meaningful programs, services, scholarships, and opportunities that strengthen connections among our alumni, students, and the broader Wildcat community. We are grateful for their commitment to supporting the University of Kentucky and its alumni community,” said Jill Smith, Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement and Executive Director at the University of Kentucky Alumni Association.
Gameday Just Got an Upgrade
Kentucky Mobile customers get more than just wireless service. They also gain access to select fan benefits and gameday experiences throughout the season, from the hardwood at Rupp Arena to the sidelines at Kroger Field:
- VIP Gameday Experiences: Kentucky Mobile customers may receive access to select gameday experiences, including pregame hospitality, fan events, and other special opportunities tied to UK Athletics.
- Exclusive Fan Giveaways: Kentucky Mobile customers may also receive exclusive fan rewards, including Wildcat swag, premium stadium access, and other exclusive giveaways throughout the year.
The agreement was developed in partnership with JMI Sports – UK Athletics’ multimedia rights partner operating locally as UK Sports & Campus Marketing — who led the strategic development of the partnership with the University of Kentucky and UK Athletics.
Switching is simple. Visit KentuckyMobile.com, pick your plan, and start supporting the University of Kentucky and UK Athletics with every payment.
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About UK Athletics
UK Athletics is a leader in college sports, sponsoring 23 varsity sports teams (12 women’s teams, 10 men’s teams, plus the coed rifle team) and hundreds of student-athletes, competing for championships, ensuring their education and well-being, and providing opportunities for the present and future. With the leadership of Athletics Director/CEO J Batt, UK Athletics operates as Champions Blue, LLC. The non-profit holding company, a first of its kind in college athletics, is designed to provide the department with the flexibility to unlock new revenue streams through public-private partnerships and potentially other transactions, such as real estate.
About the University of Kentucky Alumni Association
The UK Alumni Association is dedicated to fostering lifelong engagement among alumni, friends and the university. Through scholarships, communications, programs, services, benefits and advocacy, the UK Alumni Association supports the University of Kentucky and keeps more than 350,000 alumni worldwide connected to UK and to one another.
About Collegiate Mobile
Collegiate Mobile is the only wireless carrier built for the collegiate community and powered by it. Traditional wireless plans are built around the carrier; Collegiate Mobile is built around the collegiate community, giving customers a way to stay connected while helping fund the schools and programs they care about. Driven by its core philosophy, Wireless with Purpose, Collegiate Mobile turns wireless payments into a predictable, recurring funding stream for the university. Customers on a Collegiate Mobile network such as Kentucky Mobile receive coverage on a nationwide 5G network with one structural difference: a portion of every subscriber’s monthly payment is automatically directed to the campus programs they choose — athletics, scholarships, or student initiatives. No contracts, no extra out-of-pocket costs, and zero friction.
About JMI Sports
JMI Sports is a leading media rights and venue development company that provides management of collegiate multimedia rights, sponsorship sales agency representation, and project management expertise for the development of collegiate and professional sports facilities. The company serves to maximize each client’s economic potential through customized initiatives, from marketing and branding solutions to facility design strategies.
JMI Sports’ signature collegiate multimedia rights partnerships include the University of Kentucky, UCLA, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh, Harvard University, Columbia University, San Diego State University, University of California at San Diego, University of San Diego, and joint-venture properties at the University of Georgia (with Learfield), University of Notre Dame (with Legends), and Northwestern University (with Legends). JMI Sports also represents multimedia rights for several conferences, including the Ivy League, the Mid-American Conference, the Mountain West Conference, the Patriot League, and the Atlantic 10, and serves as third-party sales representation for premier sports properties, venues, and events including Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, the Rose Bowl, the Penn Relays, and USA Volleyball.
JMI Sports was founded in 2006 by CEO Erik Judson and technology entrepreneur John Moores, former owner of the San Diego Padres. To learn more, please visit www.jmisports.com.
