College sports are set to unlock another major revenue stream after the NCAA Division I Cabinet voted to approve jersey patch sponsorships. This is a move that will allow schools to place additional commercial logos on uniforms beginning Aug. 1, just in time for the 2026 college football season.
Under the new legislation, schools may display up to two additional commercial logos on uniforms and one on equipment during the regular season and postseason. An extra logo will also be permitted on uniforms and apparel during conference championship events. Each patch is limited to 4 square inches, and the policy applies to non-NCAA championship competition.
“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,” said Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman said in a statement via On3.
The vote follows months of discussion among conference leaders, including Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark, whom NCAA president Charlie Baker previously credited for helping move the proposal forward.
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Some schools were already preparing for approval. LSU reached a multi-year, multi-million dollar jersey patch agreement expected to span all sports, while UNLV finalized a five-year deal with Acessio Biologics covering football, men’s and women’s basketball, and baseball. Ohio State is also ready to change their iconic football uniforms with a new sponsor coming soon.
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Jersey patches represent the latest commercial expansion in college athletics, following the introduction of on-field and on-court logos ahead of the House v. NCAA settlement that ushered in the revenue-sharing era.
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