Indiana Athletics announced Thursday an expanded five-year partnership with Merchants Bank to include a jersey patch sponsorship for all 24 varsity sports programs. The patches will debut above the Big Ten logo on Indiana football’s jerseys when it hosts Ohio State on Saturday.
The agreement expands an existing partnership between Indiana Athletics and Merchants Bank, which includes field naming rights at Memorial Stadium. The two sides announced a 20-year, $50 million deal last August.
Merchants Bank branding will also now appear on coaches’ apparel, in-venue assets, digital platforms and social media channels across Indiana Athletics.
“Merchants Bank has already established an incredible legacy with us, anchored by their proud presence at Memorial Stadium,” Indiana University Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Dolson said in a press release. “Expanding this partnership to make them our official jersey patch partner across all 24 of our varsity programs is a groundbreaking milestone.”
The agreement comes as college athletics programs increasingly turn to sponsorships on uniforms as a revenue source. In January, the NCAA approved a proposal allowing Division I schools to sell advertising space on uniforms, apparel and equipment during non-championship games. Other Big Ten programs with jersey patches include Ohio State, Illinois, Michigan State and Wisconsin.
