Love it or hate it, jersey patch sponsorships are becoming the new normal in college athletics. They have been relevant in the professional sports world for a couple years, and are now making their way to the college ranks at a rapid rate.
On Monday, both Ohio State and Notre Dame announced lucrative sponsorship deals for their respective jerseys across all athletic teams. Now, over 20 Division I programs now have jersey patch deals in place, and the Big 12 conference as a whole has a deal with Monster Energy. The momentum doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon.
In today's era of NIL, generating as much revenue as possible is vital for athletic departments to stay competitive. Jersey patch sponsorships are an easy way to do so.
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The Indiana Hoosiers do not yet have a sponsorship deal in place, but it wouldn't be surprising to see one come to fruition sooner rather than later. As the defending National Champions, IU would undoubtedly be able to secure a lucrative deal if the opportunity presented itself.
With that in mind, what are some companies that would make the most sense for the Hoosiers? Here are our picks.
Eli Lilly
Based in Indianapolis, Eli Lilly is one of the largest employers in the state of Indiana. The pharmaceutical company is one of Indiana's most recognizable corporations, and its statewide recognition could make for a natural fit. Plus, Eli Lilly has already dipped its toes into the sports sponsorship world with a jersey patch partnership with the WNBA's Indiana Fever. Furthermore, Eli Lilly's company colors of red and white could blend in seamlessly to Indiana's iconic athletic uniforms.
Bloomington Bagel Company
For a less corporate and more local angle, the Hoosiers could go with Bloomington Bagel Company. Founded in 1996, Bloomington Bagel Company has become a staple for Hoosier students, alums, and fans. It is Downtown Bloomington’s first and only scratch bagel bakery, and there are three total locations in the Bloomington area. It is locally owned, and showcasing a local business on such a big stage could make for a great partnership. It would also stay true to Indiana's college town roots.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Racing and Indiana go hand-in-hand. Thus, a jersey patch sponsorship with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) would be a lot of fun to see. Known as the Racing Capital of the World, IMS is among the most iconic venues in all of sports. The Indianapolis 500 is dubbed "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," and it routinely draws over 300,000 fans over Memorial Day Weekend. Furthermore, IMS also hosts other big events such as NASCAR's Brickyard 400, the Sonsio Grand Prix, the Penzoil 250, as well as countless concerts and festivals throughout the year. A jersey patch sponsorship between the Hoosiers and IMS could lead to plenty of fun marketing possibilities.
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