Sources: Notre Dame passes Ohio State for richest patch deal
Notre Dame has officially signed a multiyear sponsorship deal with SoFi Technologies. This move marks the first time in school history that a corporate logo will appear as a patch on their athletic jerseys across all sports. The agreement, spanning six years, carries an annual value estimated between 18 and 20 million dollars.
This contract stands out as the most lucrative of its kind in college athletics. Beyond the jersey presence, SoFi will contribute 1.4 million dollars annually to the university's 4 for Forever campaign. These funds support scholarships across 26 different sports, along with financial literacy and career development programs for student-athletes.
The partnership also includes a new Champions Scholarship program, which provides full tuition to one male and one female walk-on athlete who demonstrate leadership and service. This announcement arrives shortly after Ohio State finalized its own 17 million dollar annual jersey patch deal with JPMorganChase.
This shift in college athletics follows the NCAA’s approval of uniform patches earlier this year. The change allows schools to generate significant new revenue streams to manage the rising costs of supporting student-athletes and funding various athletic department initiatives.