The University of Memphis athletic department announced Thursday morning that all 19 men’s and women’s athletic programs will wear FedEx jersey patches starting in the 2026-27 athletic season.
On January 23, Division I leaders approved corporate patches for uniforms as another way to generate money for schools. The decision, which is set to begin for all schools on August 1, is yet another step into the new NIL world where businesses are part of the college sports landscape.
The Tigers’ announcement today continues the strong relationship between the university and one of the largest companies in the country.
In 2023, FedEx Founder Fred Smith donated $50 million to the Memphis stadium renovation project. In 2024, the company made a $5 million per year NIL pledge to the department, which they modified in 2025 following the new revenue sharing model.
The modification added a sponsorship agreement that added the FedEx logo in both end zones during the football season. The football team also wore patches last season honoring Smith after his passing.
“FedEx is more than a corporate partner; they are integral to the continued success of our department and the University as a whole,” AD Ed Scott said in a statement. “Their presence across our athletic programs and venues sends a powerful message about the strength of our brand and the level of talent we attract to Memphis. We are incredibly grateful for this support and excited to showcase it on a national stage every time our teams compete. I’d also like to thank our partners and Learfield’s Tiger Sports Properties for their role in bringing these activations to life.”
Other programs across the country have announced jersey patches ahead of the 2026-27 athletic season, but Memphis’ announcement highlights the continued commitment from FedEx to the Tigers.
According to the press release, Memphis football will wear the patches on its jerseys at next Saturday’s spring fest, and “the first 1,500 fans through the gates will receive a replica football shirt-jersey featuring the iconic FedEx logo.”