First, field logos and naming rights, now this:
The fact that a group can discuss a full day and not have a resolution on jersey patches says enough.
That schools could sell jersey patches, however, comes within an industry sector trying to modernize, while toeing the line with tradition-minded fans.
Take on-field sponsorship logos as the most recent example. The NCAA approved corporate logos on the 25-yard lines beginning in 2024. According to a report last week from Zoomph, 67% of Power Four schools (45 of 67) — including 14 of 16 SEC schools — incorporated sponsor logos onto their playing surfaces.
“I think they have,” Mississippi State AD Zac Selmon said of fans accepting the idea of commercial assets, like jersey patches or field logos, as part of the ongoing drive for more revenue. “If you put something on there that just looks bad, you could get some pushback, but most fans have [come around].
“We’re trying to do our part to push the envelope nationally on things, but if we want to be competitive, we’re going to need more resources. Ultimately, it takes some of the pressure off that we’ve been putting on fans and donors for the last couple of years and … there’s a great return for companies.”
Still, schools are attempting to be tasteful in the way they activate these new assets.
UNLV, which along with LSU is one of just two schools known to have agreements in place for jersey patches, recently inked a deal with Acesso, a regenerative medicine company based in Las Vegas. The deal is reportedly worth $11 million over five years and includes Acesso’s logo appearing on the field, a jersey patch and field goal nets.
“We want to keep it simple to this point,” UNLV AD Erick Harper said. “No disrespect, because I love watching NASCAR, but we’re not going to have 15 logos on the jersey.”
Why not? Just doing a terrible thing once versus fifteen times makes it no less terrible.
Anyway, this will be coming to a Red and Black jersey soon…so if it does, who are you okay with having stitches on a Georgia jersey?
“ Just doing a terrible thing once versus fifteen times makes it no less terrible.”
While I understand the sentiment behind that statement, I think you are wrong. For example, if I punch you in the face one time, that’s bad. If I punch you in the face fifteen times, I think that’s worse. Just sayin’.
♫ Patches, I’m depending on you son,
To pull our family through ♫
What?
Oh, never mind.
Patches on Georgia jerseys?
Waffle House of course!
That family is a group of nerds and only puts patches on piss colored uniforms.
Beg to differ on that GR. I met Mr. Forkner several times as a lowly crew leader working on some of his properties. Genuinely a good damn guy. Treated me like I was some-damn-body and I’ve never forgotten it.
He’s an alumni of Young Harris College
If they’re going to do this, then I think they need to mandate patches on the refs’ jerseys as well. At least then we’d be able to know for certain who’s paying them.
Future post-game QB interview: “I just want to thank the entire Ford-Dr Pepper-Home Depot-Liberty Insurance-Farm Bureau team. I couldn’t have done this without their support.”
I laughed at this. Then I cried.
“And always remember the 5 D’s of dodgeball: dodge, duck, dip, dive, and….dodge!” -Patches O’Houlihan
“Ultimately, it takes some of the pressure off that we’ve been putting on fans and donors for the last couple of years and … there’s a great return for companies.”
Last time I looked ticket prices and contribution minimums aren’t going down as a result of all of these sponsorships. On Georgia, in particular, I don’t choose Delta because of the UGA relationship. I choose them because of my frequent flier account and their schedule. I don’t choose Georgia Power. I have to buy my power from them. I don’t choose Kroger (we go to Publix and will continue to go there).
The one company I can see who would be great on the jersey is Coca-Cola especially if they weren’t on Fech’s jerseys (stick it in their eye that the world HQ is across the street from their dumpy little campus). The one I wouldn’t want is Home Depot (just say no to orange).
Next item up for bid, will be along the line of that awful mirrored finish on football helmets, where during timeouts or halftime the helmet will reflect a changing message of grave importance…GO DAWGS!!
Yep, the cost of consumption for fans will only rise with this. However, seeing Busy Bee Frazier celebrating in the endzone in a NASCAR-style pit fire suit will be awesome. I can’t wait until dudes are covering their jersey patches up with tape so as not to jack up their NIL deals. While a different sport, nothing was more hilarious than seeing Amgen sponsoring cycling with all the riders hopped up on the EPO. Of course my cynicism comes from not being able to sell advertising space on my flight deck float coat: Today’s JBD Safety brought to you by Allstate and mayhem, like me. I coulda been reotch!!!!!
Wow, Zac thinks we’ve already accepted the idea he’s pushing, how about that!
This is a horrible idea. Even worse idea is allowing the sponsor to choose the color of their patch.
I would support it if it’s my employer’s patch and that gets me some sort of personal perk. Otherwise, no.
Well played like a university president.
Trojan Magnum XL, the official prophylactic of the Georgia Bulldogs.
Maybe we could get a Dodge Magnum/Trojan Magnum collab
“…toe the line with tradition minded fans…”. Fuck you. You quit thinking about tradition and core fans years ago. There’s not been one thing that’s been done with us in mind and yet you have the nerve to patronize us. Declining birth rates, CTE, tuition inflation, AI, anti-trust issues, etc have you idiots one generation away from a significant decline in the future number of fans. Only gambling and streaming services insatiable appetite for content will keep CFB going. When us boomers go so will your ratings and season ticket seat licenses. You know it, you’re just so greedy you also know you need to grab the cash now…screw the future.
And Nike has been on the jerseys for years already. Wonder what that contract negotiation will look like. Tipping meet point.
FlyingPeakDawg AMEN. Left us real Dawgs behind long time ago!
Ditto
This endless chase for dollars will result in the jerseys looking like a NASCAR race car. Hell, just think how valuable that space on the sides of the helmet where the power G currently resides must be.
Sponsorship ideas:
Michigan-Venmo, Ray Bans
OSU- Tattoo Parlors
FSU- Foot Locker, Publix Crab Legs
Alabama – Dodge Hellcat
Florida – Levi’s Jean Shorts
LSU – Chicken on a Stick
Oklahoma – ADT Security for Women’s Dormd
That’s all I got.
Georgia – It’s always spring time at Athens Bonding
Aaron Bonding – or did they change their name since I was there in the 80s? 😀
Used to be, you got a t-shirt if you used their services. I guess it was the frat boy equivalent to letting your pants hang off, aka “jailing”.
I think you’re right. It was called Aaron Bonding and they advertised all over the place whenever I was there in the early 90s. Never needed their services thank god.
Kentucky – Skyline Chili
Virginia – PETA
State Penn – Astroglide
UNLV – Darth Vader
Tennessee – McDonalds
Fech – Waffle House
Auburn – Charmin
Astroglide? LMAO.
“Holy hell, (NCAA), you’re about as useful as a cock-flavored lollipop!” – Patches O’Houlihan
Unfortunately, there’s always somebody willing to lick it for the right price.
If Moses had formed a committee, the Jewish people would still be in Egypt
Suggestion
South Carolina – chic fil a
Tennessee – Crest “tooth” paste
Alabama – Brock’s box of chocolates
Auburn – Cheetos
Ol miss – old grandad bourbon
Ms state- ace hardware
Clemson – black cow compost
If we have to do this, the red of CFA would be acceptable on a Georgia uniform especially going into Columbia.