Kansas State’s football uniforms are getting a new look this fall, and the Wildcats are putting a Manhattan business front and center.
When K-State opens the season against Nicholls at Bill Snyder Family Stadium next month, Purple Wave Auction’s logo will be on every football uniform as part of a new jersey patch sponsorship. The deal gives the Wildcats a local partner with a name that fits neatly into the K-State orbit.
Athletics director Gene Taylor called the partnership a strong match in a statement.
“We could not be any more pleased to team up with Purple Wave Auction on this special partnership,” K-State athletics director Gene Taylor said in a statement. “What makes it even more special is aligning with a local company and brand that share the same values and mission, and that is what we have done.”
Purple Wave Auction CEO Aaron McKee framed the agreement in football terms, leaning into the toughness of the sport and the business.
“Football is collision and grit - moving something heavy against resistance and not backing down,” said Purple Wave Auction CEO Aaron McKee. “That’s our business too.
We sell iron, we sell hard, and we don’t hide behind a reserve price. Wildcat football plays the same way, and we’re proud to be on their jersey.”
K-State did not reveal the financial terms of the deal, so the exact value remains unknown. Even so, the sponsorship adds another revenue stream for the athletic department.
The Wildcats are also stepping into a wider trend. This will be the first time Kansas State has put a sponsorship logo on its football uniforms, but it’s hardly an isolated move across the Big 12. BYU, Kansas, Oklahoma State and West Virginia have already announced jersey patch deals of their own.
Kansas State’s uniforms will feature another sponsor logo as well. The Wildcats will wear the Monster Energy Drink logo on their uniforms and display it on their football field through a conference-wide Big 12 sponsorship agreement.
Earlier this week, K-State also announced a field logo sponsorship with Progressive Insurance.
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