Fresno State announced a partnership with The Wonderful Company, a five-year agreement that includes Wonderful Pistachios, Wonderful Halos and POM Wonderful jersey-patch branding on uniforms and apparel for all 18 of the Bulldogs’ sports programs.
Wonderful Pistachios also will have its logo on the football field at Valley Children’s Stadium, in what the athletics department is calling the largest corporate partnership in its history.
That deal follows a record $13.8 million in athletics donations raised in the past fiscal year and a partnership with Valley Wide Beverage that includes exclusive pouring rights at the university’s athletics venues.
It all looks a little bit like momentum building as the Bulldogs move into the Pac-12 Conference. Could it continue, and lead the university and its athletics department to address, finally, the aging football stadium, that sits between Barstow Avenue and Bulldog Lane?
University president Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval has targeted upgrades to Valley Children’s Stadium since he was appointed in 2021, as has athletics director Garrett Klassy.
That has not changed.
The Fresno State president tackled questions about athletics and the move up into the Pac-12 via email last month. Here is his take to two key questions:
Can Fresno State get to that (premier athletics) level without finding a solution to its football stadium?
Answer: “Facilities are a critical part of the equation. Valley Children’s Stadium is not only home to Bulldog football, it is one of the university’s most visible assets and a venue that can generate year-round value through concerts, community events, premium experiences and other programming. As we look to the future, we need facilities that enhance the fan experience, support recruiting, create new revenue opportunities and serve the broader community.
“The stadium is part of that conversation. Football drives visibility, revenue, recruiting and fan engagement, so we have to be honest about the need for a long-term solution. But we will approach that work responsibly and in a way that aligns with the needs of the whole university while positioning Fresno State to compete and thrive in this new era of college athletics.”
Where does the football stadium rank in terms of headaches, especially now that Fresno State is committed to the Pac-12? How about the Save Mart Center?
Answer: “They are significant issues, but I also view them as significant opportunities. Valley Children’s Stadium and Save Mart Center are two of the most visible community assets in our region. They matter to Fresno State, and they matter to the Valley.
“The stadium is especially urgent because football is directly tied to the Pac-12 transition, revenue recruiting and the fan experience. Save Mart Center is also important because it serves both the university and the broader community, but we have to be realistic about its age, future needs and remaining debt obligations.
“Neither facility can be addressed with wishful thinking. We need a disciplined, long-range approach, strong private partners, naming-rights opportunities where appropriate, and alignment with the university’s broader Campus Master Plan. The goal is not simply to fix buildings. The goal is to make sure our facilities support the next generation of Fresno State students, student-athletes, fans and community members.”
Fresno State has taken steps to address the football stadium, sending out a market analysis and feasibility survey in June to gauge the interest of its fan and donor bases for premium seating opportunities, which are in short supply now in the 45-year-old venue.
Valley Children’s Stadium hasn’t seen substantive changes since 1991 when 22 suites were added to the east side of the stadium.
This story was originally published August 7, 2026 at 10:13 AM.