Boo Corrigan, Director of Athletics at North Carolina State University, outlined his vision for the sports year ahead at a preseason press conference today.
Boo Corrigan emphasized the importance of finding a suitable partner for stadium and jersey sponsorship deals, rather than just focusing on putting a logo on a uniform. "I think we want someone that's willing to invest back in the university, right?" he said. "And it's great to put your name on a stadium, but what you really want is a partner, right? And what does that mean? Does that mean internships for students? Does that mean greater partnership with the university? All of those things."
Corrigan's comments come as the university navigates the changing landscape of college sports, where sponsorship deals have become increasingly common. However, he expressed skepticism about the value of these deals, particularly when it comes to jersey sponsorship. "I think putting a logo on a uniform without anything else is only so appealing," he said. "I would imagine it's only so appealing to the company as well, right?"
The university is not alone in its consideration of sponsorship deals. Many top programs have already inked significant agreements, with Ohio State and Notre Dame reportedly worth at least $17 million per year. Michigan State's all-sport patch deal with a credit union is worth $4 million annually, while Illinois has a deal with a bank worth $6 million per year.
Despite the potential financial benefits, Corrigan's comments suggest that NC State may be taking a more cautious approach. "I can't imagine NC State doing any better on this front than Michigan State and Illinois," he said. It remains to be seen how the university will proceed with its sponsorship efforts, but Corrigan's emphasis on finding a genuine partner suggests that it will not be rushed into a deal for the sake of revenue.
The ACC has already seen one school agree to a jersey patch deal, with California agreeing to be sponsored by an AI company. The deal is part of a growing trend in college sports, where teams are increasingly looking to partner with brands to generate revenue. Whether NC State will follow suit remains to be seen, but Corrigan's comments suggest that any deal will be carefully considered.
As the sports year ahead begins to take shape, one thing is clear: NC State will be taking a thoughtful approach to sponsorship deals. With Corrigan at the helm, the university is likely to prioritize finding a genuine partner over simply generating revenue. Only time will tell how this approach will pay off, but for now, it seems that NC State is committed to doing things its own way.
Source: Yahoo Sports