Tennessee Football Just Added A New On-Field Reminder Of Where UT Is Headed

Tennessee Athletics secures a lucrative new jersey patch deal with longtime partner First Horizon Bank, boosting both sports funding and student-athlete opportunities.

Tennessee Athletics is putting First Horizon Bank front and center on its uniforms.

The school announced Tuesday that it has expanded its long-running relationship with the Memphis-based company, which has been the “Official Bank of the Vols” for 34 years. Now, First Horizon will serve as the official jersey patch sponsor for Tennessee football and a wide swath of other programs, including volleyball, soccer, track and field, golf, tennis, cross country, swimming and diving, and rowing, according to a UT press release.

The football team will wear the patch for the first time this Saturday when Tennessee opens the 2026 season against Furman at Neyland Stadium. The Olympic sports are expected to add the patch in the coming weeks.

Tennessee Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White said the move deepens a partnership that has already stretched for decades.

"For more than 30 years, First Horizon has been an indispensable partner to Tennessee Athletics, and we are proud to extend this remarkable collaboration," Tennessee Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White said. "In this dynamic era of college athletics, we are confident in First Horizon's ability to provide the resources and leadership needed to keep our programs competitive while safeguarding the integrity of our brand and uniforms. The First Horizon name is synonymous with excellence, vision, and a commitment to progress, values that mirror those of Tennessee Athletics."

UT said the partnership will also include two premium areas inside Tennessee venues. Neyland Stadium will feature the First Horizon West Club, while Lindsey Nelson Stadium will include the First Horizon MVP Club.

The school’s release also framed the deal as something bigger than a standard sponsorship, saying it will give student-athletes "unique opportunities to build their personal brands, expand professional networks, and gain hands-on experience in marketing and business development."

Brandon Parks, Vice President and General Manager, The Vol Network, echoed that theme in his statement on the deal.

"First Horizon Bank is a valued partner with deep roots in Tennessee, and we're proud to expand our relationship through this jersey patch partnership," said Brandon Parks, Vice President and General Manager, The Vol Network. "This collaboration connects two iconic brands and creates a meaningful new platform to engage and celebrate Volunteer fans across the state and nationwide."

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