College football is facing increasing expenses due to overdue payments to players, prompting the need for more money. One way to raise funds is by exploring new revenue streams. The NCAA’s Playing Rules Oversight Panel recently approved the use of corporate logos on fields for regular-season games in all divisions. This change took effect immediately.
According to Ben Portnoy of Sports Business Journal, schools can now display an ad at the 50-yard line, with a limit of two smaller ads elsewhere on the field. While this decision may seem overdue, it could have exacerbated the issue of fair compensation for players. The appearance of logos may initially stand out to fans, but they are already common in the bowl season.
Despite initial hesitations, this move represents a necessary innovation to generate more revenue without relying solely on alumni and boosters for financial support. The new rule introduces a level of competition between programs and players, as both entities will be vying for corporate advertising budgets. This competition adds another layer of complexity to a system already experiencing chaos.