Chris Russo criticizes Notre Dame's SoFi sponsorship patch deal
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 30, 2026, 1:30 AM
Last updated Jul 30, 2026
Chris Russo expressed strong disapproval of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish's recent jersey patch deal with SoFi, valued at $18-20 million annually over six years. He emphasized that the tradition of Notre Dame football should not be compromised for financial gain, contrasting it with Ohio State's similar deal. Russo criticized the program for its recent playoff exclusion and the decision to embrace sponsorship as a means of recovery. This partnership will also establish the SoFi Champions Scholarship for student-athletes. The announcement comes shortly before the 2026 college football season kicks off, following Notre Dame's 10-2 record in 2025, after which the team opted out of bowl play.
- •Chris Russo denounces Notre Dame's SoFi uniform patch deal.
- •SoFi partnership worth $18-20 million per year.
- •Deal aims to provide scholarships for walk-on athletes.
- •Notre Dame finished 10-2 in 2025, opting out of bowl games.
- •Criticism relates to preserving Notre Dame's traditional values.
- 1:30 AMYahoo Sports — Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo blasts Notre Dame over jersey patch deal
- 4:42 PMYahoo Sports — Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo eviscerates Notre Dame SoFi jersey patch deal
"The Notre Dame Fighting Irish announced on Tuesday that they have signed a multi-year jersey patch deal with SoFi. Ross Dellenger of Yahoo! Sports was the first to report the agreement and revealed that it’s a six-year deal averaging $18-20 million annually, making it “the most valuable jersey sponsorship deal in college athletics history.” The…
"If you were disgusted at the Notre Dame uniform addition of the SoFi sponsorship patch, well, you’re not alone! Chris “Mad Dog” Russo despised the deal and what it did to the traditional program of the Fighting Irish! The six-year deal with SoFi is worth $18-20 million annually, following suit of Ohio State’s jersey patch […]
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 30, 2026, 1:30 AMChris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo blasts Notre Dame over jersey patch deal
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish announced on Tuesday that they have signed a multi-year jersey patch deal with SoFi. Ross Dellenger of Yahoo! Sports was the first to report the agreement and revealed that it’s a six-year deal averaging $18-20 million annually, making it “the most valuable jersey sponsorship deal in college athletics history.” The…
- Yahoo SportsJul 29, 2026, 4:42 PMChris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo eviscerates Notre Dame SoFi jersey patch deal
If you were disgusted at the Notre Dame uniform addition of the SoFi sponsorship patch, well, you’re not alone! Chris “Mad Dog” Russo despised the deal and what it did to the traditional program of the Fighting Irish! The six-year deal with SoFi is worth $18-20 million annually, following suit of Ohio State’s jersey patch […]
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