Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what's next.
LSU to Sell Jersey Patch Advertisements
In the new world of NIL and revenue sharing, colleges are finding every way possible to bring in additional money to help keep up.
The latest attempt to do so by LSU is following in the footsteps of professional sports: Sponsored patches on its jerseys, according to The Advocate's Wilson Alexander.
NEW: LSU plans to sell jersey patch advertisements, pending NCAA approval, @NOLAnews reportshttps://t.co/m9OUXZRIVe pic.twitter.com/LAHVhYPr8b
— On3 (@On3sports) July 2, 2025
“LSU has mapped out where the patches would go on every jersey, from cross country to football. Most of them would appear on the chest in purple and gold,” Alexander wrote.
This comes one year after Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin brought up the idea as a potential revenue stream, a topic that was also discussed by SEC commissioner Greg Sankey.
“We’ve had jersey patches in bowl games,” he said. “I would anticipate there’s going to be a continuing push (for new revenues). We’re going to have to come to some agreement in this new environment on where those limits exist.”
According to a report by Sportico in June 2024, the top patch valuation for a college football program is $6 million. For men's college basketball, it's $2.2 million.
The range for the upper tier of football programs is between $3.5 million and $6 million, with an average valuation of $4.6 million. For the top 10 men’s basketball programs, the range is from $754,000 to $2.2 million, with an average valuation of $1.2 million.
Among all 50 programs for both sports, the average valuations are $2.2 million for a football team and $590,000 for a men’s basketball team.
Notre Dame Lands Third 2026 Prospect with NFL Bloodlines
At some points in life, you have those "Wow, I'm getting old" moments. It happens far too often nowadays, and the last few days have been another example of that. This past week, Notre Dame football landed two 2026 recruits with NFL bloodlines, giving the Fighting Irish three commits in the cycle who are sons of former NFL stars:
- Three-star wide receiver Devin Fitzgerald, the son of Larry Fitzgerald
- Four-star wide receiver Kaydon Finley, the son of Jermichael Finley
- Four-star linebacker Thomas Davis Jr., the son of Thomas Davis Sr.
Notre Dames 2026 recruiting class now includes:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 6, 2025
WR Devin Fitzgerald, son of Larry Fitzgerald.
OLB Thomas Davis Jr., son of Thomas Davis.
WR Kaydon Finley, son of Jermichael Finley.
@ByEliLederman pic.twitter.com/3cHdS3xCK5
Fitzgerald, Notre Dame's latest commitment, explained that having a former NFL star as his father helps tremendously in the recruiting process.
"Having my dad there to help me throughout the recruiting process has been great," he told ESPN. "He knows what's important. You want to go somewhere you feel like you belong and where you fit in."
Still mesmerized by how the 2026 Notre Dame wide receiver room will be home to the sons of Jerome Bettis, Plaxico Burress, Jermichael Finley and Larry Fitzgerald. 47 NFL seasons and 3 Super Bowls on the rsums of those four.
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) July 6, 2025
ND recruits NFL legacy prospects as well as anyone. pic.twitter.com/uCrACy6STg
Texas State Joins Pac-12
While conference realignment has slowed down quite a bit this offseason, the Pac-12 has continued to add universities to its conference after Oregon State and Washington State were the only two remaining in the conference last year.
Texas State officially joined the Pac-12 last Monday, becoming the league's ninth member ahead of its relaunch in 2026.
"We are extremely excited to welcome Texas State as a foundational member of the new Pac-12," commissioner Teresa Gould said in a statement. "It is a new day in college sports and the most opportune time to launch a new league that is positioned to succeed in today's landscape with student-athletes in mind."
Texas State will remain in the Sun Belt Conference through the 2025-26 athletic seasons before joining the Pac-12 in all sports for the 2026-27 school year.
The Bobcats will pay a $5 million buyout to the Sun Belt Conference.
ICYMI
Ohio State Tight End Bennett Christian Using Time at the “Very Bottom” to Inspire Others
Bennett Christian is drawing on his experiences at the “very bottom,” a year-long suspension in 2023, to play a leadership role in Ohio State's crowded tight end room.
What to Know About Revenue Sharing, Ohio State’s Approach As New Era of College Sports Begins
As the new era of college sports officially begins, we take a look at how Ohio State is approaching revenue sharing, NIL, roster limits and its commitment to keeping 36 sports.
Ohio State Star Jeremiah Smith Vows to Beat Michigan the Rest of His College Career: “For The Next Two Years, I Promise You, I Will Not Lose to Them”
Jeremiah Smith says he hates Michigan and vows not to lose to the Wolverines the rest of his career: “For the next two years, I promise you, I will not lose to them.”
What's Next
- 55 Days: Ohio State kicks off the 2025 football season against Texas
- 118 Days: Jim Knowles returns to Columbus
- 146 Days: The Game
