Commercial jersey patches coming to college football
The NCAA Division I Cabinet has recently approved the use of advertising patches on jerseys in college sports, marking a significant shift in the landscape of collegiate athletics. This new legislation is set to take effect in August of this year, just in time for the 2026 college football season.
According to the new rules, schools will be allowed to display up to two commercial logos, each measuring no more than four square inches, on their teams’ uniforms. Additionally, an extra logo can be added during all preseason and postseason games, with another logo permitted for conference championships.
Illinois athletic director and D-1 Cabinet chair, Josh Whitman, expressed his excitement about the decision, stating that it reflects the NCAA’s commitment to driving additional revenues and fully funding benefits for student-athletes. He emphasized that the move is part of the NCAA’s efforts to provide members with increased flexibility in setting standards that align with their values and needs.
The approval of advertising patches on college sports jerseys was attributed to the efforts of Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark, who played a key role in advocating for the change. Yormark, formerly the CEO of Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, was instrumental in securing the necessary support for the new policy.
While the NBA, NHL, MLB, and MLS already allow teams to display advertising patches on their uniforms, the NFL has yet to adopt this practice. However, with the NCAA now joining the ranks of leagues permitting jersey sponsorships, it is clear that college sports are entering a new era of financial opportunities for student-athletes.
This development comes on the heels of the NCAA’s decision to allow players to profit from name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals starting in 2021. The combination of these new opportunities for student-athletes signals a significant shift in the landscape of collegiate sports, ultimately providing athletes with more avenues to benefit from their talents and hard work.
