Notre Dame and SoFi Technologies announced a multi-year partnership that gives the Fighting Irish a new kind of commercial partner and a first-of-its-kind jersey patch arrangement for the program. The deal makes SoFi the official financial services partner of Notre Dame Athletics and the first non-apparel brand to appear as a jersey patch on all Fighting Irish uniforms.
The partnership is broader than a logo placement. It will establish an annual fund to support Notre Dame student-athletes and include the SoFi Champions Scholarship, which will provide a one-year full tuition scholarship to one men’s and one women’s student-athlete. The collaboration also includes a student-athlete services hub, giving the partnership a direct role in both financial support and off-field development.
Why this deal stands out
Notre Dame presented the agreement as a first-of-its-kind arrangement for Notre Dame Athletics, and that makes it notable even in a college sports landscape where sponsorship models are changing quickly. A jersey patch on all uniforms is a visible sign of that shift, especially because the partner is not an apparel company.
The deal also ties into Notre Dame’s broader “4 for Forever” promise, which the school says is central to its student-athlete experience. Pete Bevacqua, the University of Notre Dame Vice President and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics, said the commitment is designed to create lasting value for student-athletes and their families for generations to come. He also said SoFi shares that commitment to developing strong, ambitious leaders who are prepared for success at Notre Dame and beyond.
What SoFi brings to the partnership
SoFi said the agreement aligns with its focus on ambition and financial growth. Chief executive Anthony Noto said Notre Dame has spent generations developing champions in the classroom and on the field, and that the grit, discipline and determination of its student-athletes reflect the same ambition seen in SoFi members every day.
SoFi pointed to its scale as part of the partnership context, noting 14.7 million members and 133 million global accounts. Notre Dame Global Partnerships, a joint venture between Legends Global and JMI Sports, assisted with the deal.
For Notre Dame, the arrangement expands the athletic department’s commercial footprint while keeping the focus on student-athlete support. For SoFi, it creates a highly visible college sports partnership with one of the sport’s most recognizable brands. And for the Fighting Irish, it marks a notable next step in how the program presents itself on and off the field.
