Drexel announces first jersey patch sponsor for men’s, women’s basketball
The partnership is with Steamfitters Local 420, a longtime Dragons sponsor and will run for the next three seasons.
Drexel is getting a jersey patch.
On Wednesday, Drexel announced a partnership with Steamfitters Local 420 to feature the logo of the labor union on the men’s and women’s basketball uniforms for the next three seasons. In January, the NCAA Division I Cabinet approved the addition of “commercial logos or patches” on team uniforms.
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“We are truly appreciative of the expanding partnership with Steamfitters Local 420,” Drexel athletics director Maisha Kelly said in a statement. “This outlined agreement dates back to April, and we are thankful that Steamfitters has been accommodating to an evolving landscape, allowing our marks to align with all of our valued partners. Having a true Philadelphia brand represented within such a high-visibility touchpoint creates a meaningful connection between both organizations and the city.”
Steamfitters Local 420 represents steamfitters, pipe fitters, and HVAC technicians in the Philadelphia region and serves the entire state for gas pipeline distribution. The union has long sponsored Drexel athletics. The jersey patch deal was spearheaded by Learfield’s Dragons Sports Properties, Drexel’s multimedia rights operator.
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“Steamfitters Local 420 is a true asset and advocate for so many in the Drexel fanbase and community,” Dragons Sports Properties general manager Brian Radle said. “We’re proud to partner with them to bring more attention to their mission through this incredible opportunity to travel with the Dragons for every single men’s and women’s basketball game day as our first jersey patch partner.”
With the move, Drexel becomes the second school in the Big 5 to enter a jersey patch sponsorship deal. In July, St. Joseph’s entered a partnership with Main Line Health, a local healthcare company. A Penn athletics spokesperson previously told The Inquirer that the Ivy League is “actively prospecting” the addition of a jersey patch sponsorship, but no such deal has been made.
