New rookie patches inch NFL closer to jersey ads
In recent years, the NFL has added a jersey patch for players making their pro football debuts.
The NFL's recent addition of a jersey patch for players making their professional debut marks a significant step towards incorporating advertisements into the team's uniforms, reports suggest. This year, a minor adjustment to the process promises to propel the league even closer to monetizing jerseys. Topps, owned by Fanatics, revealed on Wednesday that rookies will now wear a debut patch during their first regular-season NFL games.
This patch will then be incorporated into a unique autographed trading card. The move appears to be the result of a deal between Fanatics and the NFL, with Fanatics paying the NFL for the privilege.
While this isn't a traditional advertisement on the jerseys, it effectively serves the same purpose. The debut patch becomes a coveted item for fans, who can strive to acquire it by purchasing packs of Topps trading cards. The NFL's embrace of jersey ads seems inevitable, particularly as college football teams are set to monetize their uniforms in 2026. Once the dust settles and the NCAA doesn't overreact, the NFL will have a clearer path to implementing similar changes.
Critics may argue that ads on jerseys will only make the existing collection of alternate jerseys look worse, especially considering Nike's push for Nike jerseys, which the NFL hopes will trigger a merchandise bonanza. However, this new venture presents an untapped revenue stream for the NFL. By incorporating advertisements into the jerseys, the league is beginning to mine a previously unexplored frontier, potentially boosting its bottom line in the process.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
