South Bend, IN – October 15, 2024 – Notre Dame Global Partnerships (NDGP), the multimedia rightsholder for the University of Notre Dame Athletics Department, announced today a new multi-year partnership beginning with the 2024-25 season with Verizon. Verizon Communications Inc., who powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security, will become an official sponsor of Notre Dame Athletics and its 26 varsity athletic teams.
As the official 5G Partner and Mobile Provider of Notre Dame Athletics, Verizon is providing connectivity engineered to enhance the fan experience at the college sports level for the first time ever and will bring together Notre Dame athletes with fans from across the country.
“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with industry leader Verizon and to bring our fans even closer to the Notre Dame athletic teams they support,” Deputy Athletics Director, Business Strategy, Yulander Wells said. “We are always looking to partner with the best in brands, and Verizon represents that. We look forward to working with Verizon to announce exciting opportunities that will enhance the fan experience on site at Notre Dame and to show fans, student athletes, and coaches how Verizon will improve their gameday.”
Verizon and Notre Dame’s partnership is built on shared values of excellence, innovation, commitment to building strong communities, and a focus on supporting student athlete success both on and off the playing field. As a first step to elevating Notre Dame’s already world-class football gameday experience, Verizon has installed service upgrades in the parking lots to improve connectivity during tailgating on gamedays. Verizon teams are engaging with fans prior to three home games this year with a chance to step inside the Verizon Cash Cube, and they can snap photos using a backdrop with Notre Dame props.
“We are excited to announce a multi-year partnership with Notre Dame Athletics” said Andrew Brady, Market President of Verizon. “Like Notre Dame, Verizon is accustomed to providing a world class experience for our customers. Supporting Notre Dame’s student athletes allows us to follow down that same path. Whether you’re a student athlete, alumnus or fan, we look forward to producing best-in-class technology experiences for years to come.”
Notre Dame Global Partnerships, a joint venture between Legends and JMI Sports, facilitated the partnership.
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About Notre Dame Athletics
The University of Notre Dame sponsors 26 varsity athletics programs (13 men’s, 13 women’s), dating back to 1887 when the Irish played their first football game. Notre Dame won its 33rd and 34th and 35th national championship in 20232 when the Irish claimed the NCAA Fencing and Men’s Lacrosse Championship following previous titles in fencing (12) football (11 consensus), fencing (three men, one women, seven combined), women’s soccer (three), women’s basketball (two), men’s tennis (two), plus one each in men’s soccer, men’s golf and men’s cross country. Notre Dame student-athletes in 20231 recorded one of the highest NCAA Graduation Success Rate figures (97) among all Football Bowl Subdivision institutions. In the 2021 Olympic Games, the Irish sent an ACC-leading 21 current or former student-athletes to Tokyo (most in school history). Notre Dame football remains independent in terms of conference affiliation, but most other Irish sports began competing in the ACC in 2013-14.
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.
About Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of $134.0 billion in 2023. Verizon’s world-class team never stops innovating to meet customers where they are today and equip them for the needs of tomorrow. For more, visit verizon.com or find a retail location at verizon.com/stores.
Media Contacts:
VERIZON /
Stacey Escudero, Legends / sescudero@legends.net