圣母大学和俄亥俄州立大学在同一天宣布了两笔规模庞大的球衣补丁赞助协议，合计价值约3000万美元[1]。其中，俄亥俄州立大学与摩根大通达成多年赞助协议，年均约1700万美元[1]；圣母大学与SoFi科技公司签订协议，价值1800万至2000万美元[1]。
这两笔交易是在美国反垄断和解后的进展。28亿美元的House反垄断和解协议已由联邦法官批准[1]，随后各校开始通过此类赞助协议直接向运动员支付费用。圣母大学运动总监皮特·贝瓦奎亚表示，圣母大学的"4 for Forever"承诺对于提供国内最顶尖的学生运动员体验至关重要[1]。根据协议，SoFi将为圣母大学的"4 for Forever"计划设立年度140万美元基金[1]。赞助协议的覆盖范围广泛，其中圣母大学的协议涵盖全部运动项目，而俄亥俄州立大学的协议覆盖36个大学体育项目[1]。
Notre Dame and Ohio State unveiled substantial jersey patch sponsorship agreements on the same day, marking a significant shift in how collegiate athletic programs monetize their uniforms.[1] Ohio State secured a multi-year deal with JPMorgan Chase worth approximately $17 million annually, while Notre Dame reached an agreement with SoFi Technologies valued between $18 million and $20 million.[1] The combined value of both transactions totals roughly $30 million.[1]
The two universities are among the first to capitalize on direct athlete compensation opportunities following the approval of a $2.8 billion antitrust settlement by a federal judge.[1] Ohio State's partnership with JPMorgan Chase covers 36 collegiate athletic programs, whereas Notre Dame's arrangement with SoFi extends across all of its sports offerings.[1] As part of its commitment to student-athletes, SoFi will establish an annual fund of $1.4 million dedicated to Notre Dame's "4 for Forever" initiative.[1] Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua stated that the university's "4 for Forever" promise at Notre Dame is "paramount to providing the best student-athlete experience in the country."[1]