28.07.2025 18:05
Fenerbahçe has signed a sponsorship agreement with Hamdi Ulukaya, the owner of the US-based yogurt brand Chobani. The name of Fenerbahçe's home, Ülker Stadium, has been changed to "Chobani Stadium Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saraçoğlu Sports Complex." Here are some unknown facts about Hamdi Ulukaya, the founder of Chobani, which has named the stadium.
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Fenerbahçe announced that it has signed a long-term agreement with Chobani for stadium naming rights and European jersey sponsorship, effective from the 2025-2026 season. Chobani, owned by businessman Hamdi Ulukaya, operates in the field of strained yogurt and dairy products in the USA. So, who is Hamdi Ulukaya, and what is his net worth?
WHO IS HAMDİ ULUKAYA?
Hamdi Ulukaya, the founder and CEO of the US-based yogurt brand Chobani, is back in the Turkish agenda with the sponsorship agreement made with Fenerbahçe Sports Club. Born in Erzincan, Ulukaya draws attention not only for his business successes but also for his social responsibility efforts.
WHAT DOES CHOBANI MEAN?
Chobani is a name derived from the Turkish word "çoban," meaning "shepherd," and the brand's origin is based on Hamdi Ulukaya's respect for the shepherding tradition in Turkish culture. Leading the strained yogurt (Greek yogurt) market in the USA, Chobani has become a favorite among consumers who embrace a healthy lifestyle with its natural and additive-free products. Founded by Hamdi Ulukaya in 2005, the brand came to life with the purchase of a yogurt factory that was about to close in New York. By focusing on quality and innovation in yogurt production, Chobani quickly became a billion-dollar company. Today, Chobani has a wide range of products, including yogurt, milk alternative beverages, coffee, children's products, and protein bars, and operates in international markets such as Australia, in addition to the USA.
A BRAND SPREADING WORLDWIDE
Born in Erzincan in 1972, Hamdi Ulukaya went to the United States in 1994 to learn English. In 2005, he founded the Chobani brand by purchasing a yogurt factory in New York that was about to close. This name, which means 'shepherd' in Turkish, serves as a reference to Ulukaya's roots in Anatolia. As the company grew, Ulukaya offered partnership opportunities to employees, transferring 10% of Chobani shares to them.
WHAT IS HIS NET WORTH?
Chobani has differentiated itself in the market by promising Americans unique, additive-free, and natural yogurt, and has grown rapidly. Today, Chobani has become one of the largest yogurt brands in the USA. As of 2024, his net worth is estimated to be $2.3 billion.
THE SIGN HAS CHANGED
The yellow-blue club officially announced that the new name of Ülker Stadium Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saraçoğlu Sports Complex is "Chobani Stadium Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saraçoğlu Sports Complex." The name of Fenerbahçe Stadium has been changed to 'Chobani Stadium Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saraçoğlu Sports Complex.' This change has also been reflected on the sign outside the stadium.
INITIATIVES FOR REFUGEES
Through the foundation he established in 2016 called 'Tent Partnership for Refugees,' Ulukaya aims to encourage the private sector to contribute to the global refugee crisis. To date, the foundation has encouraged over 260 companies to employ refugees, helping more than 39,000 refugees find jobs. For these efforts, Ulukaya has been declared a Champion of the Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations.
WORK IN TURKEY
Although Ulukaya founded his company in the USA, he has maintained his ties with Turkey. After the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, Ulukaya made a personal donation of $2 million. Additionally, he led efforts to raise over $100 million in aid through Turkish Philanthropy Funds by calling on the business community in the USA.
With the Hamdi Ulukaya Initiative (HUG) he established in 2017, he provided training, mentorship, and international connections for young entrepreneurs in Turkey. To date, hundreds of young people from 63 cities have participated in this program. 70% of the participants have expanded abroad, 60% have established their first ventures, and they have collectively received over $17 million in investments. 54% of the program's participants are women entrepreneurs.
A TRADE BRIDGE BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES
Hamdi Ulukaya also serves as the Chairman of the US-Turkey Business Council. In this context, under Ulukaya's leadership, efforts have been made to restart the long-stalled negotiations of the Turkey-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), promoting collaborations in sectors such as energy, digital economy, health, and agriculture, with a trade target of $100 billion between the two countries.
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