Virginia Tech announces new partnership on selling players jerseys

The NIL era has completely changed the college athletics landscape. With players now able to profit off of their Name, Image, and Likeness, accompanying partnerships have ensued. Virginia Tech football announced on Friday that fans are now able to purchase customized jerseys through Fanatics. The players will be able to earn compensation for jerseys that are sold with their name and number on them.

Prior to the NIL era, most college football jerseys seen on fans contained just a number with no name on the back. But now, that could be changing. Buying the jersey of your favorite player is a longstanding tradition for many sports fans around the world, and Virginia Tech football is the next team that will allow fans to do so. And the players will be able to profit off of this new deal as well.

Per Virginia Tech’s release, players must opt in to the program, and if they do, they will have their last name and numbers on the jerseys.

Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry, DB Chamarri Conner on the new jersey deal

While the new opportunity to create custom jerseys with player names and numbers is something that many fans have been waiting on for a long time, players are also excited to see this change. Virginia Tech defensive back Chamarri Conner shared his excitement for the new partnership, and he is ready to see his name on the back of fans wearing Hokies jerseys.

“I’m really excited that our fans will get such a cool opportunity to buy the jerseys of their favorite players,” Conner said. “I think it’s great that we as players will get the opportunity to profit, but it’s even better that we’ll be able to share this connection with the fans who choose to purchase our jerseys. I can’t wait to see some Tech fans with my name on the back of their jersey!”

Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry, just hired in the offseason, also expressed his excitement for the new partnership.

“We’re excited that both our student-athletes and fans will benefit from this wonderful partnership,” said Pry. “This agreement is a very tangible example of the commitment that our administration has made to helping our players maximize their experience playing for Virginia Tech. I can’t wait to see our fans wearing the jerseys of players at Lane Stadium. Go Hokies!”

Virginia Tech went 6-7 in 2021, losing to Maryland in the Pinstripe Bowl. The Hokies open the 2022 season with a road trip to Old Dominion on September 3.