Drexel University Athletics
Drexel Athletics and Steamfitters Local 420 Expand Collaboration to Include First Jersey Patch Partnership for the Dragons
10/14/2026 11:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Drexel Athletics
PHILADELPHIA – Drexel Athletics and Learfield's Dragons Sports Properties announced today a groundbreaking partnership expansion with Steamfitters Local 420, strengthening their dedication to the Dragons while leveraging the most highly visible sponsorship integration in college athletics.
Through the agreement, the Steamfitters Local 420 logo will adorn the Dragons' men's and women's basketball jerseys for the next three years.
"We are truly appreciative of the expanding partnership with Steamfitters Local 420", said Maisha Kelly, Vice President, Director of Athletics & Recreation. "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."
The jersey patch sponsorship, which was approved by a vote of the NCAA Division I Cabinet on January 23, will provide unprecedented visibility at home and on the road. In addition to Steamfitters Local 420's brand presence inside the Daskalakis Athletic Center and around Philadelphia for home games and the prestigious Big 5 Classic, the asset will travel throughout significant markets up and down the east coast.
The Steamfitters Local 420 jersey patch will receive significant reach and exposure across multiple channels, as Drexel Men's and Women's Basketball combined to garner more than 3 million television viewers over the last three seasons and more than 4 million annual digital impressions in addition to visibility in front of in-venue attendees at all home and road games.
On social media, where the jersey patches will be seen in game highlights, press conferences, hype videos, graphics and more, the Dragons tallied more than 4.25 million impressions and nearly 600,000 accounts reached this basketball season on Instagram alone.
Steamfitters Local 420 is a labor union representing highly skilled steamfitters, pipefitters, and HVAC technicians in the Philadelphia region. Established in 1903, Local 420 is dedicated to ensuring safe working conditions, fair wages, and quality training for its members. The union partners with contractors and industry leaders to provide top-tier apprenticeship programs and continuing education, supporting both its members and the communities they serve.
"Steamfitters Local 420 is a true asset and advocate for so many in the Drexel fanbase and community," said Brian Radle, General Manager of Dragons Sports Properties. "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."
Steamfitters Local 420 will take full advantage of the jersey patch sponsorship opportunity by continuing to tap into a full suite of solutions through Dragons Sports Properties, including in-venue, broadcast, and digital advertising, game sponsorship, intellectual property integration, and more. The combination of assets provides Steamfitters Local 420 the most dynamic opportunity ever to create an authentic connection with the passionate Drexel fanbase.
Dragons Sports Properties, the locally based team of Learfield – the leading media and technology company powering college athletics – is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Drexel Athletics and oversees all sponsorship agreements on behalf of the Dragons.
About Steamfitters Local 420
Steamfitters' Local Union 420 has jurisdiction over all or parts of ten counties in southeastern Pennsylvania for the installation and service of mechanical systems. We service the entire state for gas pipeline distribution. In the area of instrumentation calibration, this "educational local" has jurisdiction over four Northeast states (PA, NJ, DE, NY). Members of the local are proud of their craft, proud of their city, and determined to do everything they can to insure the city and its surrounding suburbs will continue to grow and prosper.
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 marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors' Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
Through the agreement, the Steamfitters Local 420 logo will adorn the Dragons' men's and women's basketball jerseys for the next three years.
"We are truly appreciative of the expanding partnership with Steamfitters Local 420", said Maisha Kelly, Vice President, Director of Athletics & Recreation. "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."
The jersey patch sponsorship, which was approved by a vote of the NCAA Division I Cabinet on January 23, will provide unprecedented visibility at home and on the road. In addition to Steamfitters Local 420's brand presence inside the Daskalakis Athletic Center and around Philadelphia for home games and the prestigious Big 5 Classic, the asset will travel throughout significant markets up and down the east coast.
The Steamfitters Local 420 jersey patch will receive significant reach and exposure across multiple channels, as Drexel Men's and Women's Basketball combined to garner more than 3 million television viewers over the last three seasons and more than 4 million annual digital impressions in addition to visibility in front of in-venue attendees at all home and road games.
On social media, where the jersey patches will be seen in game highlights, press conferences, hype videos, graphics and more, the Dragons tallied more than 4.25 million impressions and nearly 600,000 accounts reached this basketball season on Instagram alone.
Steamfitters Local 420 is a labor union representing highly skilled steamfitters, pipefitters, and HVAC technicians in the Philadelphia region. Established in 1903, Local 420 is dedicated to ensuring safe working conditions, fair wages, and quality training for its members. The union partners with contractors and industry leaders to provide top-tier apprenticeship programs and continuing education, supporting both its members and the communities they serve.
"Steamfitters Local 420 is a true asset and advocate for so many in the Drexel fanbase and community," said Brian Radle, General Manager of Dragons Sports Properties. "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."
Steamfitters Local 420 will take full advantage of the jersey patch sponsorship opportunity by continuing to tap into a full suite of solutions through Dragons Sports Properties, including in-venue, broadcast, and digital advertising, game sponsorship, intellectual property integration, and more. The combination of assets provides Steamfitters Local 420 the most dynamic opportunity ever to create an authentic connection with the passionate Drexel fanbase.
Dragons Sports Properties, the locally based team of Learfield – the leading media and technology company powering college athletics – is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Drexel Athletics and oversees all sponsorship agreements on behalf of the Dragons.
About Steamfitters Local 420
Steamfitters' Local Union 420 has jurisdiction over all or parts of ten counties in southeastern Pennsylvania for the installation and service of mechanical systems. We service the entire state for gas pipeline distribution. In the area of instrumentation calibration, this "educational local" has jurisdiction over four Northeast states (PA, NJ, DE, NY). Members of the local are proud of their craft, proud of their city, and determined to do everything they can to insure the city and its surrounding suburbs will continue to grow and prosper.
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 marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors' Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
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