A new era is underway for University of Kentucky Athletics, and athletics director J. Batt continues to explore ways to increase revenue while investing in the department’s future.
One of the latest areas of focus is Kentucky’s Basketball jersey patch. Unlike Kentucky Football, which currently has UK Invests as its jersey-patch sponsor, the men’s basketball team does not yet have a sponsor attached to its uniform.
Batt previously agreed to a one-year deal worth nearly $5 million with UK Invests for the Kentucky Football jersey patch. The shorter-term agreement gives Kentucky flexibility as the football program and its brand continue to evolve under first-year head coach Will Stein.
So, when can we expect a jersey patch deal to be announced for Kentucky Basketball?
During Thursday’s Champions Blue Board of Governors meeting, Batt said Kentucky is taking its time before selecting a sponsor for the basketball jersey patch.
“What I’d say is we’ve had a tremendous interest,” Batt told KSR. “Part of what we get to do, because we have so much momentum, is be a little bit choosy. So it’s so important to us that, particularly on that sacred piece of cloth, that we have the right partner.”
Kentucky’s basketball brand gives the school significant leverage when considering potential partnerships. The Wildcats have a long history of success, including eight NCAA championships, and have continued to produce NBA players.
Batt’s comments indicate that Kentucky has multiple options available and is focused on finding a partnership that aligns with the basketball program and the value of its brand rather than rushing into an agreement.