SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame Athletics today announced a new strategic partnership with Zenni, the world's leading online eyewear retailer, naming the company the Official Eyewear Partner of Notre Dame Athletics.
The comprehensive partnership brings together two nationally recognized brands committed to performance, innovation and authenticity. Through integrated storytelling, fan engagement and student-athlete collaborations, Zenni will connect with the Fighting Irish community through showcasing how its eyewear supports student-athletes on and off the field of play, and curating a Notre Dame colorway collection for fans across the country. Fans can explore the Notre Dame colorway collection at www.zennioptical.com/b/fighting-irish/.
"Our partnership with Zenni reflects our commitment to aligning with innovative brands that enhance the student-athlete experience while creating meaningful connections with Fighting Irish fans," said Jim Fraleigh, Deputy Athletics Director of Revenue and Partnerships for Notre Dame Athletics. “Zenni's focus on accessibility, performance and style makes them an outstanding partner for Notre Dame Athletics, and we're excited to bring this collaboration to life across our programs."
As the Official Eyewear Partner, Zenni will be integrated throughout the Notre Dame Athletics ecosystem with year-round visibility across official athletics platforms and digital channels. The partnership will feature compelling content highlighting Notre Dame student-athletes and the role Zenni's products play in helping them perform at their best academically, athletically and in everyday life.
“Notre Dame represents a tradition of excellence both on and off the field, and we’re excited to bring Zenni’s focus on performance, innovation and self-expression to the Fighting Irish community,” said Veronica Alcaro, Vice President of Brand at Zenni Optical. “This partnership gives us the opportunity to connect with student-athletes and fans in meaningful ways, while creating experiences and eyewear that celebrate what makes Notre Dame so iconic.”
In addition to extensive brand integration, Zenni will have the opportunity to leverage Notre Dame intellectual property in marketing initiatives, engage fans nationwide through strategic activations and collaborate with Fighting Irish student-athletes through name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities and national brand campaigns. The partnership establishes a year-round platform that will increase Zenni's national brand presence while delivering engaging content and experiences for the Fighting Irish community. Through innovative storytelling, digital engagement and student-athlete collaborations, Notre Dame Athletics and Zenni will create authentic connections that celebrate excellence both in competition and beyond.
This partnership was facilitated by Notre Dame Global Partnerships, a joint venture between Legends and JMI Sports.
About Zenni
Zenni pioneered the online eyewear industry in 2003 with a mission to make eyewear affordable and accessible for everyone. With complete prescription pairs starting under $10, Zenni offers adults and children the freedom to see clearly and express themselves through a wide selection of high-quality prescription glasses, sunglasses, protective eyewear, and non-prescription frames—curated with fashion, function, and style in mind. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the company has upended the traditional retail model to become the leader in U.S. online eyewear, with over 70 million frames sold worldwide. Zenni is proud to be the Official Eyewear of the San Francisco 49ers, Boston Celtics, Monster Jam, Team Liquid, and more. Zenni has collaborated with designers and tastemakers on exclusive collections, including Chase Stokes and George and Claire Kittle. For more information, visit zenni.com/press.
About Notre Dame Athletics
As it pertains to athletic and academic success, the University of Notre Dame has few peers across the nation. Sponsoring 26 varsity athletic programs, Notre Dame teams have won 40 national championships that span over 100 years of competitive excellence. The University’s first national title was earned by football in 1924, led by legendary head coach Knute Rockne. Notre Dame athletic teams have continued to claim noteworthy national championships recently, including back-to-back titles by men’s lacrosse in 2023 and 2024 and the fencing team earning its 16th team national title in 2026. The Fighting Irish football team also appeared in the 2025 College Football Playoff Championship Game. Notre Dame athletic teams have produced the third-most Academic All-Americans among Division I schools and Fighting Irish student-athletes have ranked first or second among Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the NCAA’s Graduation Success Rating for 19 straight years.
About Notre Dame Global Partnerships
Notre Dame Global Partnerships (NGDP) manages the sales, marketing, sponsorship, multimedia rights, and branding services for the University of Notre Dame’s Athletics programs. Founded in 2018, NDGP is a joint venture between JMI Sports and Legends, formed to build integrated partnerships with industry-leading partners that share the University’s commitment to both academic and athletic excellence. Notre Dame’s status as one of the most recognizable and iconic institutions in collegiate athletics offers brands a unique opportunity to connect with fans, students, and alumni globally. NDGP is creating new and innovative partnerships that contribute to the University’s mission while also upholding its storied history and tradition.