Report: Univ. of Florida getting $5M annually from crypto company for on-field logos

The Univ. of Florida has signed a multiyear deal with cryptocurrency company Ripple that includes on-field logos at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and is worth $5M annually, putting it “among the largest in college sports,” according to a source cited by Edgar Thompson of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. The logo for XRP will appear at both 25-yard-lines beginning with Saturday’s game against FAU. Ripple is a “leading provider of blockchain solutions across traditional and digital finance” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 9/4). The AP’s Mark Long notes the deal provides Ripple with “digital properties and event signage.” The crypto company also will “support financial and technology education for Florida student-athletes and the campus community, covering both traditional finance and digital assets.” Geico last year paid a total of $2M “to have its logo on Florida Field for the Gators’ final two home games” (AP, 9/4).

PATCH DEAL: Meanwhile, Florida State has reached a deal with direct-to-consumer insurance and home finance company Kin that places the Kin logo on the jerseys of FSU student-athletes. Kin is the first brand to appear as a jersey patch across the athletic program’s uniforms. The patch debuts Monday, when FSU football plays SMU, then rolls out across 17 additional Florida State Athletics teams. The Kin jersey patch will appear for the next four years, beginning with the 2026-27 season, across the following 18 varsity programs: football; women’s basketball; men’s and women’s cross country; women’s soccer; women’s volleyball; men’s and women’s swimming and diving; men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field; baseball; beach volleyball; women’s lacrosse; softball; men’s and women’s golf; and men’s and women’s tennis (Florida State).