Blab Sports
Visible Becomes First Helmet Bumper Sponsor for Minnesota Football
On September 11, 2026, the University of Minnesota’s athletic department unveiled a pioneering partnership with Visible, Verizon’s digital‑first wireless carrier. The deal makes Visible the first corporate sponsor to appear on the back of every Minnesota football helmet, a debut that will be seen in front of a national audience on September 12.
The logo will take center stage during the Gophers’ “Gold Out” game against Mississippi State at Huntington Bank Stadium. The matchup, which will air on CBS at 2:30 p.m. Central Time, is the first nationally televised contest between the two programs and marks the first time the Gophers will wear their signature gold uniform in program history.
The announcement follows the NCAA’s recent approval of commercial logos on college football uniforms. Minnesota is among the earliest programs to seize the opportunity, positioning Visible on a platform that reaches millions of fans across the Big Ten and beyond. Learfield’s Gopher Sports Properties, the exclusive media rights holder for Gopher Athletics, facilitated the agreement.
"As college athletics continues to evolve, it’s important that we identify innovative opportunities that strengthen our programs and department and continue to help provide a world‑class experience for our student‑athletes," said Thomas O. Moe, Director of Athletics at Minnesota. "We are excited to welcome Visible and proud to be among the first programs in the country to introduce helmet bumper branding. This partnership reflects the continued momentum of our department and our commitment to building relationships with organizations that invest in the future of Gopher Athletics."
Visible, a Verizon division, offers unlimited data, messages, minutes and hotspot service powered by Verizon’s 5G network. The brand has earned recognition on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list and received the “Best Telecom Brand” award in Adweek’s Challenger Brand Awards. Visible also runs the Connection Protection program, which provides three months of free wireless service to eligible members who lose jobs.
"Appearing on every Minnesota football helmet gives Visible a bold presence on one of college football’s biggest stages," said David Kim, President at Verizon Value. "We’re proud to partner with Gopher Athletics on this first‑of‑its‑kind opportunity and to bring Visible to Minnesota fans in a way that is distinctive and true to our brand. As we continue to build our presence in the Twin Cities, we’re excited to be part of this moment in Gopher Athletics and connect with the passionate community that supports the team."
Kim Damron, President of Sports Properties at Learfield, added, "Helmet branding represents a new opportunity in college sports, and Minnesota is one of the first programs to bring this to life with a national brand. Mark and his team at Gopher Athletics continue to demonstrate leadership in how they approach new opportunities to generate meaningful value for their brand partners, their programs and their student‑athletes to support the continued success of Gopher Athletics."
The partnership marks a significant new presence for Visible in the Twin Cities and a distinctive way for the brand to connect with Minnesota fans. By placing the logo directly on the helmets, Visible will be woven into the game‑day experience as the Gophers compete on a national stage, introducing the brand to viewers through one of the newest sponsorship opportunities in college athletics.
In summary, the Visible logo will appear on every Minnesota football helmet beginning September 12, coinciding with the Gold Out game against Mississippi State. The partnership is part of the NCAA’s new commercial‑logo rule, making Minnesota the first Learfield university partner to use a helmet bumper. The Gophers will continue to compete in the Big Ten, with the next home game scheduled for October 1 against Wisconsin. The partnership is expected to generate new revenue streams for the athletic department and to enhance the fan experience for the remainder of the 2026 season.
The logo will take center stage during the Gophers’ “Gold Out” game against Mississippi State at Huntington Bank Stadium. The matchup, which will air on CBS at 2:30 p.m. Central Time, is the first nationally televised contest between the two programs and marks the first time the Gophers will wear their signature gold uniform in program history.
The announcement follows the NCAA’s recent approval of commercial logos on college football uniforms. Minnesota is among the earliest programs to seize the opportunity, positioning Visible on a platform that reaches millions of fans across the Big Ten and beyond. Learfield’s Gopher Sports Properties, the exclusive media rights holder for Gopher Athletics, facilitated the agreement.
"As college athletics continues to evolve, it’s important that we identify innovative opportunities that strengthen our programs and department and continue to help provide a world‑class experience for our student‑athletes," said Thomas O. Moe, Director of Athletics at Minnesota. "We are excited to welcome Visible and proud to be among the first programs in the country to introduce helmet bumper branding. This partnership reflects the continued momentum of our department and our commitment to building relationships with organizations that invest in the future of Gopher Athletics."
Visible, a Verizon division, offers unlimited data, messages, minutes and hotspot service powered by Verizon’s 5G network. The brand has earned recognition on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list and received the “Best Telecom Brand” award in Adweek’s Challenger Brand Awards. Visible also runs the Connection Protection program, which provides three months of free wireless service to eligible members who lose jobs.
"Appearing on every Minnesota football helmet gives Visible a bold presence on one of college football’s biggest stages," said David Kim, President at Verizon Value. "We’re proud to partner with Gopher Athletics on this first‑of‑its‑kind opportunity and to bring Visible to Minnesota fans in a way that is distinctive and true to our brand. As we continue to build our presence in the Twin Cities, we’re excited to be part of this moment in Gopher Athletics and connect with the passionate community that supports the team."
Kim Damron, President of Sports Properties at Learfield, added, "Helmet branding represents a new opportunity in college sports, and Minnesota is one of the first programs to bring this to life with a national brand. Mark and his team at Gopher Athletics continue to demonstrate leadership in how they approach new opportunities to generate meaningful value for their brand partners, their programs and their student‑athletes to support the continued success of Gopher Athletics."
The partnership marks a significant new presence for Visible in the Twin Cities and a distinctive way for the brand to connect with Minnesota fans. By placing the logo directly on the helmets, Visible will be woven into the game‑day experience as the Gophers compete on a national stage, introducing the brand to viewers through one of the newest sponsorship opportunities in college athletics.
In summary, the Visible logo will appear on every Minnesota football helmet beginning September 12, coinciding with the Gold Out game against Mississippi State. The partnership is part of the NCAA’s new commercial‑logo rule, making Minnesota the first Learfield university partner to use a helmet bumper. The Gophers will continue to compete in the Big Ten, with the next home game scheduled for October 1 against Wisconsin. The partnership is expected to generate new revenue streams for the athletic department and to enhance the fan experience for the remainder of the 2026 season.
