NCAA Approves On-Field Advertisements, Sparking Debate Among College Football Fans

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel has approved a new rule allowing commercial sponsor advertisements on football fields for regular-season games, starting with the 2024 season. This decision follows a recommendation from the Football Rules Committee and applies to all three divisions of college football.

Under the new rule, advertisements can be placed in three spots on the field. One large ad can be centered on the 50-yard line, and up to two smaller ads can be placed elsewhere on the field. These advertisements can be used on a game-by-game basis or for the entire season.

The rationale for this rule change is to make regular-season games in home stadiums similar to postseason bowl games and neutral-site games, where advertisements are already allowed. This change also provides schools with a new way to generate revenue, which has not been available during the regular season.

“This change allows schools to generate additional income to support student-athletes,” said NCAA President Charlie Baker. “I’m pleased that we could find flexibility within our rules to make this happen for member schools.”

The rule change has the support of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) conferences, as well as the Division I FBS Oversight and FCS Oversight Committees.

The NCAA has approved a policy change to allow schools to place corporate logos in the middle of their football fields… pic.twitter.com/VabTI4oI8T
— College Football Alerts  (@CFBAlerts_) June 6, 2024

However, many traditional college football fans are against this rule change. They feel it is another step closer to professionalism in what used to be known as amateur sports. Many believe that as college athletics adopts a more professional model, beloved traditions are being pushed aside.

Imagine Ohio Stadium with a Wendy’s logo on the 50-yard line instead of the traditional “Block O,” or a Chick-Fil-A logo at Sanford Stadium instead of Georgia’s “Oval G.” This might soon become a reality as college athletic departments look for new ways to increase revenue in the competitive and ever-changing landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and potential revenue sharing.