Tennessee Athletics has lined up a new jersey patch partner for its basketball programs, and the company comes straight from Knoxville.
On Tuesday, the school announced a deal with Axle Logistics that will put the company’s name on the uniforms for both the men’s and women’s teams. Industry sources told GoVols247 the agreement averages more than $3 million annually over five years.
The partnership was arranged with help from the Vol Network, the multimedia rights holder for Tennessee Athletics under Learfield, according to the school’s release.
Danny White said Tennessee wanted a partner that matched the program’s values and the direction of the current college sports landscape. “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,” White said in a UT press release. “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.”
Axle Logistics is a non-asset based, third-party logistics company that provides Truckload, LTL, Intermodal and Warehousing services to customers across the continental U.S., Canada and Mexico. The company is also one of the largest employers of UT graduates.
The first time fans will see the patch in action comes in basketball exhibition play. The men’s team will wear it for the first time on Oct. 15 against Xavier at Food City Center, while the Lady Vols will debut theirs on Oct. 27 against Florida A&M.
Axle co-founders Jon Clay and Drew Johnson called the deal a meaningful one for the company and the university. “Great athletic programs and great organizations are built on the same foundation: talent, teamwork, preparation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence,” they said.
“That's why this first-of-its-kind partnership with the University of Tennessee is so meaningful to Axle. By connecting with a program that develops leaders on and off the court, we're creating opportunities to support student-athletes, strengthen our workforce pipeline, and invest in the next generation of high performers who understand what it takes to succeed.”
Rick Barnes said the fit makes sense because of Axle’s Tennessee ties. “As a company based in Knoxville and founded by Tennessee alums, Axle Logistics is the perfect brand for us to align with,” Barnes said.
“We are pleased to partner with a group that truly understands what it means to be a Volunteer. There is no doubt this agreement will greatly benefit our basketball program.
We appreciate Danny White and the Vol Network finding us such a tremendous partner in this ever-changing era of college athletics.”
Kim Caldwell also pointed to the local connection and the backing of Tennessee’s athletics staff. “We are grateful to Axle Logistics for its incredible commitment to Tennessee basketball and for the impact this partnership will have on current and future Lady Vols,” Caldwell said.
“I'm also thankful for the vision of Danny White and the Vol Network in uniting us with an innovative, locally-based company built by UT alums who operate with the same core principles we do. We couldn't be more thrilled to be teammates with Axle.”
Tennessee also provided a look at what the jersey patches will look like.
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