The NCAA has approved the use of commercial jersey patches, with the new rule set to go into effect on Aug. 1, 2026.
This means college football programs will be able to bring in additional revenue by selling advertisement space on uniforms, equipment and apparel.
This practice has been common for years in European soccer and, more recently, in the NBA. The added revenue is expected to be a boost for college programs in an era where a premium has been placed on maximizing revenue opportunities.
Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman, who also serves as the Division I Cabinet chair, commented on the ruling in a press release.
“College sports are in an exciting new era of increased financial benefits for student-athletes, and the Cabinet’s vote today reflects the ongoing commitment of Division I members to drive additional revenues and fully fund those benefits,” Whitman said. “This also continues the NCAA’s efforts to expand flexibility in areas of NCAA rules, thereby allowing schools and conferences to set standards that reflect their values and serve their unique needs. This important policy change is another step forward in advancing that philosophy and providing members with increased flexibility.”
Here are more specific details from the announcement:
Effective Aug. 1, all Division I teams will be permitted up to two additional commercial logos on their uniforms and apparel and one additional commercial logo on equipment during the preseason and regular season, with an additional commercial logo on uniforms and apparel for conference championships. The patches will be limited to a maximum of 4 square inches per logo.
Restrictions on the placement of the logos will be addressed by the respective playing rules subcommittees, oversight committees and sport committees (for National Collegiate championship sports), with the continued expectation that logos must be placed outside of designated sections of uniforms as necessary for officiating purposes.
So far, no college football teams have announced any official jersey patch partnerships. However, LSU has already reportedly agreed to a jersey patch sponsorship deal with an unnamed company.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
