Kansas State to Wear Green Monster Logos in 2026 Uniforms
Kansas State fans have long desired more lavender shading on the Wildcats’ football kit, but the upcoming uniform overhaul will instead feature a bold green accent. The shift comes as the Big 12 conference finalizes a new branding partnership that will place a Monster Energy patch on football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball gear. Commissioner Brett Yormark unveiled the deal during Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, Texas, on Tuesday, July 7.
Big 12 Announces Monster Energy Branding Deal
The agreement, confirmed at Big 12 Media Days, adds a Monster Energy patch alongside the conference logo on all varsity uniforms. On‑field and on‑court Monster logos will also be introduced as part of the league‑wide rollout. Each Big 12 institution will receive roughly $1 million per year from the sponsorship.
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At the unveiling, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark explained that the Monster branding will appear on both football and basketball uniforms. The logo placement will be visible on the field and courts, reinforcing the league’s new corporate identity.
What the Green Monster Logo Means for Kansas State
Athletic director Gene Taylor offered a glimpse of the design, noting that the Monster emblem will sit directly over the Big 12 logo “in some way, shape or form.” He said the school could outline its purple Big 12 mark or keep it black, but the Monster icon itself is non‑negotiable. “It’s gonna be green. It has to be green,” Taylor stressed, squashing any hope of a purple or white version.
The new green motif replaces earlier fan wishes for additional lavender hues on the football uniform. While the exact visual treatment is still being worked out, the commitment to a green Monster logo is firm across the conference.
Uniform Changes and Future Sponsorships
Kansas State is not limited to the Monster patch; the athletic department is also close to securing a local sponsor for an on‑jersey logo and an on‑field sponsor at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. “It would be nice to get it done before the season,” Taylor said, hinting at additional branding layers for the 2026 campaign. The combination of conference and individual sponsorships signals a broader push to modernize the Wildcats’ look and revenue streams.
The introduction of green into the uniform palette aligns with the broader Big 12 initiative to boost visual cohesion and commercial appeal. Fans can expect to see the new green accents debut when the 2026 season kicks off, marking a fresh chapter for Kansas State athletics.
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Kansas State head coach Collin Klein walks the field during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
(Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal)
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Kansas State head coach Collin Klein walks the field during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
(Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal)
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Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) drops back to pass during the fourth quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
(Scott Sewell, Scott Sewell-Imagn Images)
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Kansas State sophomore tight end Linkon Cure (0) walks to a position during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
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Kansas State Wildcats running back Joe Jackson (4) runs in for a touchdown during the second half against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.
(Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal)
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Kansas State Wildcats wide receiver Jaron Tibbs (12) runs the ball during the first half of the game against the UCF Knights at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Sept. 27, 2025.
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Kansas State senior defensive back Adrian Maddox (2) works through plays during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
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JACKSONVILLE, ALABAMA – DECEMBER 5: Elijah Hill #56 of the Kennesaw State Owls celebrates after recording a sack against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks during the second quarter at AmFirst Stadium on December 5, 2025 in Jacksonville, Alabama. (Photo by Jason Clark/Getty Images)
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Kansas State sophomore running back Rodney Fields Jr. (20) makes a pass during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
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Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Kansas State Wildcats cornerback Zashon Rich (25) against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Sep 12, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Kansas State safety Logan Bartley (10) receives a flag for targeting during the second quarter of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
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Oct 11, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Eric McAlister (1) is tackled by Kansas State Wildcats linebacker Rex Van Wyhe (28) and safety Wesley Fair (18) on a kick off in the fourth quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
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Kansas State Wildcats defensive end Travis Bates (39) sacks North Dakota Fighting Hawks quarterback Jerry Kaminski (11) during the first half against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.
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Nov 22, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver Larry Simmons (12) is tackled by Kansas State Wildcats cornerback Donovan McIntosh (9) during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
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Sep 12, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Kansas State Wildcats linebacker Gabe Powers (35) tackles Arizona Wildcats running back Ismail Mahdi (21) during the second quarter of the game at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
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Kansas State senior running back Jay Harris (9) runs drills during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
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Oct 4, 2025; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Virginia Cavaliers defensive back Ja’son Prevard (10) tackles Louisville Cardinals wide receiver Kris Hughes (14) during the first quarter at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images
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Oct 4, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys outside linebacker Wendell Gregory (4) reacts after he sacked the Arizona Wildcats quarterback during the fourth quarter of the game at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
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Sep 6, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) is sacked by Louisiana Tech Bulldogs linebacker Mekhi Mason (9) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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Nov 15, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Joshua Manning (0) breaks a tackle attempt from Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Jahron Manning (13) and runs in for a touchdown during the first half of the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
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Kansas State junior offensive lineman Tanner Morley (77) works on plays during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
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CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 2: Kaleb Patterson #22 of the Illinois Fighting Illini makes the tackle on Elijah Spencer #11 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Memorial Stadium on November 2, 2024 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
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Oct 18, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Izaiah Williams (1) runs after a catch during the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
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Oklahoma State’s Jacobi Oliphant Jr. (26) celebrates a sack in the first half of the college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Iowa State Cyclones at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday Nov. 29, 2025.
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Kansas State head coach Collin Klein fist bumps associate head and wide recievers coach Thad Ward during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
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Kansas State defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson
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Kansas State quarterbacks coach Christian Ellsworth talks to players during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
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Kansas State offensive lineman coach Mike Schmidt talks with players during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
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Yormark didn’t say exactly what the logos would look like, but Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor provided a few hints on Thursday.
“I’ve seen versions of it,” Taylor said. “It’s going to have the (Monster) logo right on top of the (Big 12) logo in some way, shape or form. So it’s not, I don’t think it’s… whether we outline our Big 12 in purple, which we can do, or leave it black… we’ve still gotta work through that.”
But does it have to be the bright green Monster logo? Even the various Monster Energy flavors change colors depending on the can. Could K-State change the color up to purple or white, depending on the uniform?
“No, you cannot,” Taylor said. “It has to be green.”
At least everyone in the Big 12 will receive about $1 million annually under the agreement, though it’s already being widely argued that the figure is too small.
In Kansas State’s case, it could be the first of at least two changes coming to the Wildcats’ uniform or playing surfaces. The school is getting closer to landing a local sponsor for an on-jersey logo and an on-field sponsor at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
“It would be nice to get it done before the season,” Taylor said.
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at [email protected]
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