LSU reportedly signs jersey patch deal ahead of NCAA green light
By Derek Hryn
Published:
LSU is ahead of the curve again. The Tigers have reportedly already signed a multimillion-dollar jersey patch deal, months before the NCAA even votes on whether commercial logos will be allowed on uniforms.
According to a report from Front Office Sports, LSU has reached an agreement with an unnamed sponsor for a patch that will appear on all of the school’s uniforms across every sport. FOS quoted LSU deputy AD and chief revenue officer Clay Harris directly in the report.
Harris hinted it could rival top professional deals, which reportedly reach 8 figures annually. LSU already has experience with corporate partnerships — they’ve sold practice jersey patches, branded their mascot, and even landed a field sponsorship this season with Venture Global at the 25-yard lines.
“The value of an LSU or another big brand in college sports, across all sports, could come close to what a pro sports team is getting,” Harris told FOS.
Right now, schools can’t sell patches like pro teams do, but that is expected to change soon. The Division I Administrative Committee proposed a rule that would let schools place a single sponsor logo on athlete uniforms and equipment, with a final vote expected in January and implementation set for August 2026.
Harris told FOS he is “very confident” the measure will be approved.
Some fans will wince at the thought of logos on college uniforms, especially in football where tradition reigns. But LSU is approaching the change as another new frontier in college athletics revenue. One patch, one sponsor, and suddenly, what has always been about school pride is also about dollars. The NCAA may approve it next year, but LSU is already cashing in.
