Team Jersey Sponsorship 101

MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL Jersey Sponsorship

OpenSponsorship loves team sponsorships. In addition to working with athletes, we also do deals with Teams and Events. From brand awareness to skyrocketing sales, the possibilities of team sponsorships are endless.

Over the coming weeks, we will be doing a 3-part series on why you should consider team sponsorships and how to get started. REGISTER below to get access to future exclusive information on team sponsorships.

• Part 1: Jersey Sponsorship
• Part 2: Stadium activation, tickets, and hospitality
• Part 3: Digital marketing benefits

What is Jersey Sponsorship for Professional Sports Teams?

Jersey sponsorships are becoming increasingly popular as brands look to tap into the popularity of sports teams and the loyalty of their fans. 

In jersey sponsorships, a brand will purchase the right to have their logo featured on the jersey of a sports team. This allows them to benefit from the tremendous exposure that comes with being associated with a popular and successful team, while also tapping into the passion and loyalty of sports fans.

How much does it cost to be a jersey sponsor?

According to 2023 data, becoming a jersey sponsor for some of the largest teams in the NBA costs $20-30 million annually with the average deal ranging in the $10 million per year range. Keep in mind, the costs to become a professional sports team jersey sponsor will vary across different sports, geographic markets, and divisions. For example, the cost of sponsoring a 3rd division professional soccer team will be significantly less than Premier League teams such as Manchester City. 

How do you become a sports team jersey sponsor?

As mentioned earlier, to become a team jersey sponsor, contact us to become a brand sponsor. 

Why is Jersey Sponsoring an Interesting Business Opportunity? 

MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL teams all now allow sponsors on jerseys

In the 2010s, no Big Four sports leagues (NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB) had jersey sponsors. By next year, THREE of them will!

Jersey sponsorships help sports teams increase their value

• • The average MLB team could generate $8-10 million from selling sleeve patches to brands
  • Football club Manchester United makes $185 million annually on their jerseys alone
  • NBA jersey patches are expected to generate $225 million in revenue this season. 

• Team jersey sponsorships mean tremendous exposure for brands

  • Approximately 58 million viewers in the US watched sports content at least once per month. It is projected to rise to over 90 million by 2025. 
  • Soccer is the most-watched and most-played sport on the planet. Over 3.5 billion people or half of the entire world's population tunes in to the World Cup or considers themselves soccer fans. 
  • On average, about 90% of all Americans watch some type of sports.

Final Thoughts on Sponsoring Professional Sports Teams

Jersey Sponsorship is an extremely powerful way to get your brand in front of the masses. Book a free consultation call today to learn more about team sponsorship and next steps to get started!