The University of Missouri Tigers football team will debut sponsored logos on the field during their season opener against Murray State. This comes after the NCAA approved corporate advertisements on playing surfaces, allowing schools to generate additional revenue. Shelter Insurance and Equipment Share, both based in Columbia, Missouri, will have their logos featured on the 25-yard-lines of Farraut Field.
Shelter Insurance, a mutual insurance company operating in 15 states, sees this sponsorship as a way to support student-athletes and show their commitment to policyholders. The NCAA rule allows schools to sell logo sponsorships on a game-by-game or season-long basis, with the Southeastern Conference only permitting season-long sponsorships.
This move by Mizzou may be the first of many as college athletics departments and conferences explore new revenue streams, including selling naming rights. The Big 12 Conference is reportedly in talks to sell its naming rights to Allstate Insurance, potentially bringing in $30 to $50 million annually. Early contenders for the new league name include the “Big Allstate Conference” and the “Allstate 12 Conference.”
With the changing landscape of college sports sponsorships, fans can expect to see more corporate logos on fields and potentially new names for their favorite conferences in the future.
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