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10/15/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/15/2026 10:12
Indiana Athletics Expands Partnership with Merchants Bank Through First-Ever Integrated Jersey Patch Program
Indiana Athletics Expands Partnership with Merchants Bank Through First-Ever Integrated Jersey Patch Program
October 15, 2026
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana Athletics and Learfield today announced an expansion of its comprehensive partnership with Merchants Bank, naming the Indiana-based financial institution the official jersey patch partner of all 24 varsity sports programs. The five-year agreement further strengthens a relationship that currently includes field naming rights with on-field branding at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. The Merchants Bank jersey patch will debut on October 17 when Indiana Football hosts Ohio State in Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium's first-ever match-up pitting two top-five ranked teams.
IU Patch with Merchants Bank Logo
Under the agreement, Merchants Bank branding will appear on uniforms across Indiana Athletics' 24 varsity sports programs, as well as on coaches' apparel, including that worn by football head coach Curt Cignetti, men's basketball head coach Darian DeVries, women's basketball head coach Teri Moren, and other Indiana coaches. The partnership also includes expanded exposure through in-venue assets, digital platforms, and social media channels across the athletics department.
"Merchants Bank has already established an incredible legacy with us, anchored by their proud presence at Memorial Stadium," said IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Dolson. "Expanding this partnership to make them our official jersey patch partner across all 24 of our varsity programs is a groundbreaking milestone. This agreement not only highlights our shared commitment to excellence and innovation, but it also reflects the profound impact of partnering with an Indiana-based industry leader as we continue competing at the absolute highest level."
The announcement comes during a period of unprecedented success and national visibility for Indiana Athletics. As the reigning national champion in football with annual prominence in basketball and Olympic sports, Indiana remains one of the most recognizable brands in college athletics.
"As an Indiana University graduate, this partnership is especially meaningful to me and to all of us at Merchants Bank," said Michael Petrie, Chairman of Merchants Bank. "Indiana Athletics represents pride, tradition, and excellence across college sports. We are honored to deepen our relationship with the Hoosiers and support student-athletes, coaches and fans through a partnership that celebrates our shared commitment to the state we all call home."
This comprehensive agreement is among the most extensive in collegiate athletics, providing Merchants Bank visibility across every varsity program while creating a consistent brand presence throughout the Hoosier athletics experience. Additionally, Merchants Bank will continue to provide IU student-athletes with comprehensive financial education training programs and support.
"Merchants Bank and Indiana Athletics are a perfect fit," said Chris Sanders, SVP of Learfield Sports Properties. "Both organizations are deeply connected to Indiana, value community impact, and are dedicated to achieving excellence. Expanding this partnership to include jersey patches creates year-round visibility for Merchants Bank while aligning them with one of the most respected and successful athletics departments in the country."
About Merchants Bank
Ranked as a top-performing bank in the U.S by American Banker/Capital Performance Group, Merchants Bank focuses on delivering innovative banking and lending solutions across multiple segments, including retail and correspondent residential mortgage banking, multifamily financing, business and agricultural lending, mortgage warehouse financing, and traditional banking services. Headquartered in Indiana, Merchants Bank serves customers nationwide through its banking centers, regional production offices, and digital banking platform. Driven by a culture of execution, teamwork, and service, the company is committed to building long-term relationships and delivering meaningful value to the communities it serves. To learn more about Merchants Bank, visit www.bankmerchants.com or find Merchants Bank on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.
About Indiana Athletics
Indiana University Athletics is home to 24 varsity intercollegiate athletic programs and more than 650 student-athletes. Steeped in a rich tradition of academic and athletic excellence in Bloomington, IU athletic programs have combined to win 26 national team championships, with the most recent being the 2025 College Football Playoff title. Additionally, IU's programs have combined to win 193 Big Ten team championships, and IU's student-athletes have captured 176 individual NCAA titles as well as 61 Olympic gold medals. To learn more about Indiana University Athletics, visit IUHoosiers.com or follow IU Hoosiers on Facebook, X and Instagram.
About Learfield
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield's presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative revenue generation solutions, student-athlete marketing initiatives, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors' Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
Merchants Bancorp published this content on October 15, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 15, 2026 at 16:13 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]