Tennessee Basketball Just Opened A New Revenue Door Fans Will Notice

The Tennessee Volunteers make a strategic play by securing a lucrative jersey patch partnership with Axle Logistics, setting a precedent in college basketball.

Tennessee is adding a new look to its basketball jerseys, and the partner behind it is Axle Logistics.

The Volunteers announced Tuesday that the company will have a jersey patch deal for both men’s and women’s basketball, marking a new step for the program as college teams continue to work through patch partnerships. According to Pete Thamel on X, the agreement is expected to be worth more than $3 million per year over five years. Thamel also noted that Tennessee will be splitting up its jersey patch sales, with no other sports having a deal in place yet.

Axle Logistics describes itself as “a non-asset based, third-party logistics (3PL) company with a focus on facilitating advanced logistics services - Truckload, LTL, Intermodal, and Warehousing - to a wide variety of customers throughout the continental U.S., Canada, and Mexico. By providing specialized customer service, a unique overall philosophy and approach to management, Axle is a leader in the logistics industry,” according to Axlelogistics.com.

Tennessee athletics director Danny White said the fit made sense because of what the company brings beyond its business profile.

“From the onset of our journey to find the right partner in this evolving landscape, it was essential that we align with an organization that not only leads its field, but also embodies innovation, integrity, and a commitment to community. We found all of that in Axle Logistics.

Axle's reputation for operational excellence and customer service has propelled them to the forefront of the logistics industry-not just in Knoxville, but across the nation. Their investments in technology and their dedication to supporting both employees and the broader community make them an ideal collaborator for Tennessee Athletics,” AD Danny White said when detailing the partnership.

The jersey patch situation for Tennessee’s other sports has not been announced yet, so it remains unclear whether the Vols will have one beyond basketball.

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