- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,194,359
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images
Sep 6, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Warde Manuel, Michigan Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics on the field prior to a game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
In a letter sent to fans on Thursday, University of Michigan Athletics Director Warde Manuel discussed the possibility of adding jersey patches and other forms of advertising to boost NIL efforts.
Manuel discussed how the bowl of Michigan Stadium is a “sacred space” and that the university has made it a goal to protect it from commercialization outside of the Big Ten logo and a couple other recent additions like the Allstate field goal nets. It sounds like they are working to try and place more advertising in The Big House, but it will be done “strategically, tastefully, and in a manner consistent with the values of the University of Michigan.”
Needless to say, that’s some much needed reassurance for people (like myself) that want the least amount of advertisements in Michigan Stadium as possible.
Then there’s the jersey patch conversation. Plenty of college programs across the country have added jersey patches to make more money. Well, it sounds like Michigan is exploring that as well, as Manuel announced that the university’s partners — Michigan Sports Properties and Learfield — are in discussions with potential sponsors pertaining to the Wolverines’ new “Leaders and Best Champion Partner Program.”
The future sponsors will be shown in the form of jersey patches, on-field and on-court logos, and in-game sponsorships and digital scoreboard advertising, with those funds going directly to the players. This is something Manuel described as “new revenue assets that are highly visible, but thoughtfully integrated.”
Here is the letter written by Manuel:
Dear Michigan Fans,
I hope everyone is enjoying the start of summer and can get a break, relax and recharge over the next few months.
The landscape of college athletics continues to change at a rapid pace, and Michigan Athletics is taking the necessary and proactive steps to secure our leadership role now and far into the future. To consistently compete for championships across all 29 of our varsity sports, we must look at new, innovative revenue streams. Crucially, this includes expanding our support for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) to build and sustain the championship-caliber rosters you expect—and that delivered a football national championship in 2023, our men’s basketball national championship this year, and seven Big Ten Championships during the 2025-26 academic year.
For generations, the bowl of Michigan Stadium has been a sacred space. We have intentionally protected the Big House from the commercialization seen elsewhere, limiting on-field and in-stadium visuals to the Big Ten Conference logo, the Allstate field goal nets, and our partnerships with Nike/Jordan and Gatorade. Given my history as a football player, I have great respect for Michigan Stadium’s long, storied, and distinguished history. We will work to ensure that any advertising is implemented strategically, tastefully, and in a manner consistent with the values of the University of Michigan.
However, to support our student-athletes in this new era without compromising their competitive edge, we must carefully expand our corporate sponsorships into venues where we have previously held back. To that end, our partners at Michigan Sports Properties and Learfield are currently in discussions with potential sponsors about our new Leaders and Best Champion Partner Program.
We are approaching these discussions with the utmost respect for the tradition of the Big House. We are exploring new revenue assets that are highly visible but thoughtfully integrated, including:
- Jersey patches
- On-field and on-court logos
- In-game sponsorships and digital scoreboard advertising
The revenue generated through this program will be directly invested in our student-athletes through scholarships, NIL opportunities, upgrading our athletic facilities, and retaining our world-class coaches. While these initiatives represent a new era in revenue generation, please know that we remain fiercely committed to upholding Michigan’s core values. We will preserve the look, feel, and soul of the Michigan Stadium experience that makes Saturdays in Ann Arbor so special.
Thank you for your unmatched, continued support of Michigan Athletics. Your loyalty is what truly makes us the Leaders and Best. We cannot wait to welcome you back to campus this fall.
Go Blue!
Warde Manuel,
Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics
How do you feel about all this? Let me know what you think in the comments section below.
Continue reading...
