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Oregon’s jerseys could look a little different this fall. 

And no, it’s not just another headline-making design to add to the collection. 

In an interview on Thursday with Lookout Eugene-Springfield about the Savannah Bananas, Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens revealed that the Ducks are searching to fill one of the most coveted new advertising spots in sports: a place on Oregon’s jerseys.

In January, the NCAA approved a new rule allowing Division I teams to place up to two advertising patches — each no larger than 4 square inches — on uniforms during regular-season games. Sports Business Journal reported earlier this year that schools could command anywhere from $500,000 to $12 million for the space.

For an Oregon athletic department with an annual budget nearing $200 million, the opportunity is an obvious one. Few schools have more valuable uniform real estate to sell.

“In the new environment, resources are a competitive advantage and we can use any of our facilities to create additional resources that allow us to compete in this day and age,” Mullens said. “You’re going to see more logos on the field. We’re all out there now that we can sell the jersey patch. Commercialization is taking on a new role inside of college athletics, and we’re going to be at the forefront of that as well.”

So, how soon before the Ducks run onto the field at Autzen Stadium with a corporate logo stitched onto their jerseys? Could it happen this fall?

“We’re certainly in the market, that’s for sure,” Mullens said. “Just like everybody.”

Maybe so. But everybody else isn’t selling space on one of the most recognizable uniforms in sports.

Welcome to Banana Ball

The Savannah Bananas show off their skills in Mesa, Arizona. Credit: Courtesy of Savannah Bananas

The patch will bring in money.

So, too, will this weekend’s events at Autzen Stadium.

The Savannah Bananas are bringing their unique take on baseball to Eugene on Saturday and Sunday, with more than 100,000 fans expected to attend the two games featuring choreographed dances and quirky rules that have turned the Harlem Globetrotters-esque Bananas into one of the hottest tickets in the country.

The Ducks aren’t used to hosting that many fans in a single weekend — and they’re certainly not used to transforming Autzen Stadium into a baseball field.

As we go forth into the world

Astera Tuhina was a pretty easy choice for “Best Hair” of 2025-26. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA

Athletes, coaches, fans, readers and anyone who bought a house next to Autzen Stadium without realizing the Oregon athletic complex would rock with noise for nine months of the year:

Congratulations, you’ve made it.

With the completion of the NCAA track and field championships this month at Hayward Field, the 2025-26 school year is officially in the books.

While Eugene isn’t exactly taking a nap this summer — the Savannah Bananas are coming this weekend, Zach Bryan is playing Autzen in July and do you really think work is going to stop on the practice facility? — we wanted to take a moment to commemorate some of the notable people who made the 2025-26 school year one to remember.

So we wrote our 2025-26 Oregon Ducks Yearbook Awards.

On the tee

Wyndham Clark during his time with the Oregon Ducks. Credit: GoDucks.com photo

The school year may be over, but Oregon Ducks are still out there winning.

The latest was of the #ProDucks variety, with former Oregon golfer Wyndham Clark claiming his second U.S. Open title on Sunday at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York.

Clark shot a 3-over 73 to finish at 4 under, earning a one-shot victory over Sam Burns — who began the final round seven shots back of the former Duck.

Clark competed at the University of Oregon in 2016-17 after beginning his collegiate career at Oklahoma State. At Oregon, Clark was named the 2017 Pac-12 Player of the Year, earned first-team all-conference honors and won the Pac-12 championship.

World Cup update

I’ve been to three World Cup games now — and above is a look at my time covering Friday’s 2-0 USA victory over Australia.

camera roll

The U.S. is 2-0, so I think we do officially get the final say in the matter.
The best exit en route to the World Cup in Canada, just before the border.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I jokingly think of Happy Gilmore when he first came out, and they had all those crazy fans when he played in that movie. But I think that’s good. It brings new audiences.”
—Wyndham Clark on the less-than-warm reception he got from fans during the U.S. Open.

STORIES I’m WORKING ON

Will have complete and very serious coverage from Saturday’s Banana Ball action. Then this old and tired scribe is taking next week off. Football is coming soon, and we all need to rest up.

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Remember: It’s points in Banana Ball, not runs.

Tyson

Tyson Alger covered the Ducks for The Oregonian and The Athletic before branching out on his own to create and run The I-5 Corridor. He brings more than a decade of experience on the University of Oregon sports beat. He has covered everything from Marcus Mariota’s Heisman Trophy-winning season to the Ducks’ first year in the Big 10.