Notre Dame is about to put a bank logo on its uniforms, and that alone tells you how big this deal is.
On Tuesday, the Fighting Irish announced a multi-year partnership with SoFi Technologies that makes the company the official financial services partner of Notre Dame Athletics and adds a jersey patch across all Notre Dame uniforms. It’s a notable shift for a program whose identity has long been tied to tradition and a stripped-down look, but it also comes with a massive payday: On3’s Pete Nakos reported the agreement runs six years and averages $18 million to $20 million annually, making it the most valuable jersey sponsorship deal in college athletics history.
SoFi becomes the first non-apparel brand to appear on Notre Dame uniforms.
The university said the partnership is designed to go beyond branding. In the release, Notre Dame said SoFi will work with the school to “help the next generation of Notre Dame student-athletes build the foundation for long-term financial success,” and the deal includes opportunities tied to financial education, scholarships and post-graduation support.
“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.”
A key piece of the agreement is the “SoFi Champions Scholarship,” which is aimed at walk-on student-athletes. Each year, one men’s and one women’s student-athlete will receive a one-year full tuition scholarship for showing “ambition, resilience, leadership and service.”
The partnership also includes a “student-athlete services hub” that will provide Notre Dame athletes with financial education, planning, guidance and products for life after college.
“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 said alumni and fans will also get “exclusive opportunities surrounding Fighting Irish gamedays and events, including ticket giveaways, tailgates and private events.”
The jersey patch itself will debut on football uniforms for the upcoming 2026 season, with the “SoFi” logo placed on the upper-left portion of the jersey.
Notre Dame’s announcement came the same day Ohio State unveiled a similar jersey-patch partnership with JPMorgan Chase, another sign that major college programs are moving quickly into this space.
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