Notre Dame-SoFi partnership, explained: Why Fighting Irish agreed to historic jersey deal with bank

Notre Dame-SoFi partnership, explained: Why Fighting Irish agreed to historic jersey deal with bank

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Notre Dame-SoFi partnership, explained: Why Fighting Irish agreed to historic jersey deal with bank
Notre Dame

Notre Dame-SoFi partnership, explained: Why Fighting Irish agreed to historic jersey deal with bank originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Across its athletic program, but particularly in football, Notre Dame's brand has been built on tradition and simplicity. Moving forward, however, the Fighting Irish will have a noticeable change to their uniforms thanks to a historic agreement.

In a deal announced Tuesday, Notre Dame is partnering with SoFi Technologies not just to make the banking company the "official financial services partner of Notre Dame Athletics," but also to add a jersey patch to all Fighting Irish uniforms.

SoFi will be the first non-apparel brand to appear on Notre Dame uniforms thanks to a deal reportedly worth up to $20 million per year.

Here's what to know about Notre Dame's partnership with SoFi and a look at the new uniform patches.

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Notre Dame-SoFi partnership

On Tuesday, Notre Dame said in a press release that the university has agreed to a "multi-year collaboration" with SoFi to make the company the official financial services partner of Fighting Irish athletics, which includes a jersey patch on uniforms.

On3's Pete Nakos reported that the Notre Dame-SoFi partnership is worth six years and averages $18 to $20 million annually — figures that will make it the most valuable jersey sponsorship deal in college athletics history.

As part of the agreement, SoFi is also collaborating with Notre Dame to "help the next generation of Notre Dame student-athletes build the foundation for long-term financial success," per the release.

It marks the second announced jersey-patch partnership on Tuesday between a high-profile college athletics program and a financial institution. Ohio State athletics also announced a partnership with JPMorgan Chase, which includes a jersey patch on Buckeyes uniforms. 

MORE: What to know about Ohio State's new partnership with JPMorgan Chase

Why Notre Dame is partnering with SoFi

SoFi is reportedly paying tens of millions to become the official financial services partner of Notre Dame Athletics and the first non-apparel brand to appear on jersey patches across all Notre Dame uniforms. Meanwhile, the partnership is also set to bring Fighting Irish student-athletes opportunities to develop their financial education, receive scholarships and more.

"Our ‘4 for Forever’ promise at Notre Dame is paramount to providing the best student-athlete experience in the country,” Notre Dame vice president and athletic director Pete Bevacqua said in the release. “SoFi shares in this commitment to developing strong, ambitious leaders who are set up for success at Notre Dame and beyond. Together, our relationship will create lasting value for our student-athletes and their families for generations to come.”

That partnership between SoFi and Notre Dame is creating the "SoFi Champions Scholarship," a program that is dedicated to walk-on student-athletes. Each year, one men's and one women's student-athlete will be receive a one-year full tuition scholarship, courtesy of SoFi, for exemplifying "ambition, resilience, leadership and service."

SoFi is also introducing a "student-athlete services hub," intended to give Notre Dame student-athletes financial education, planning, guidance and products for their post-graduation lives.

“Notre Dame has spent generations developing champions in the classroom and on the field,” SoFi CEO Anthony Noto said in the release. “The grit, discipline and determination of Notre Dame’s student-athletes reflect the same ambition we see in our members every day. We are proud to partner with Notre Dame Athletics to help inspire the next generation and create opportunities that will shape their financial futures.”

Notre Dame also said that as part of the agreement, alumni and fans will also have "exclusive opportunities surrounding Fighting Irish gamedays and events, including ticket giveaways, tailgates and private events."

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Notre Dame-SoFi jersey patch

With Tuesday's news, Notre Dame shared new photos of how the SoFi patch will look on football uniforms, starting with the upcoming 2026 season.

Football players will have the "SoFi" logo on the upper-left portion of their jerseys:

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