Former Arizona director of football operations Erick Harper, now the athletic director at UNLV, is the first in the NCAA to sign a deal with a corporate group to put sponsorship patches on the uniforms of UNLV sports teams.
UNLV quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) scrambles away from Boise State defensive lineman David Latu (92) on a 5-yard touchdown run in the first half of the Mountain West championship, Dec. 5, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 38-21.
Harper, who is assisted by Mike Ketcham, formerly the No. 2 man in the Arizona athletic department behind Greg Byrne and Dave Heeke, signed a five-year, $11 million deal with Acesso Biologics. Expect dozens of D-1 schools to follow ASAP. The NCAA is scheduled to vote on corporate jersey patches next month.
Imagine Desert Diamond Casino or Raytheon or Caterpillar committing about $3 million or $4 million per year to the UA, adding their corporate logos to the uniforms of all Arizona athletes.
MLB allows corporate patches on uniforms sleeves. The New York Yankees got a reported $150 million over six years for Starr Insurance. The Golden State Warriors signed a $20-million per year deal with Rakuten to wear patches on the front of team jerseys. The NFL allows corporate sponsors patches on jerseys during practices and team workouts. The Arizona Cardinals wear Desert Financial Credit Union patches for an estimated $10 million per year.
In an era when revenue generation is more crucial than ever, corporate sponsorship in all forms is the future of college sports.
