NORMAN, Okla. (September 15, 2026) — The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department and Learfield’s Sooner Sports Properties announced today a new multi-year partnership with Nextep that will see the Oklahoma-based company’s branding featured on-court at Lloyd Noble Center.
Nextep’s logo will be prominently displayed on the playing surface at Lloyd Noble Center during all Oklahoma men’s and women’s basketball home games beginning with the 2026-27 season.
“We are extremely grateful to Brian Fayak and the Nextep team for their significant investment in Oklahoma Athletics and our men’s and women’s basketball programs,” said Marcus Bowman, Oklahoma’s Deputy AD for Business Development and Revenue Generation. “Having the Nextep brand prominently represented on our court is a powerful reflection of this partnership and our shared commitment to excellence. As we continue to grow our commercial opportunities, we take great pride in partnering with companies that were built here in Oklahoma and share our passion for this university, this community and our state.”
Nextep will gain extensive visibility through its logo placement on-court, in television broadcasts and across digital platforms. Additionally, as part of the partnership, Nextep will support Sooner student-athletes through brand collaborations and original content.
“As an Oklahoma-founded company with a wide-reaching national brand, partnering with OU Athletics and its historical basketball programs is a very natural alignment for us,” said Fayak, Nextep’s CEO and founder. “This partnership celebrates two organizations dedicated to winning and innovation on a national scale, while staying fiercely committed to the community that made us.”
Based in Norman, Nextep is a leading provider of human resources services, offering businesses technology and expert support across areas including HR, payroll, benefits and compliance. Founded in 1997, the company works to elevate the employment experience and make life easier for businesses and their employees.
“We’re excited to welcome Nextep as a new partner of Oklahoma Athletics,” said Kelly Collyar, Sooner Sports Properties Vice President and General Manager. “The on-court opportunity at Lloyd Noble Center gives Nextep a highly visible platform to connect with Sooner fans, while creating meaningful opportunities to engage with our student-athletes and support both of our basketball programs.”
Sooner Sports Properties, the Norman-based team of Learfield – the media and technology company powering college sports – is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Oklahoma Athletics and oversees all sponsorships, in-venue signage and advertising on behalf of the Sooners.
About Nextep
Nextep is an IRS-certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO) based in Norman, Oklahoma. We partner with small and medium-sized businesses nationwide to handle the heavy lifting of HR, employee benefits, risk management, and full-service payroll, all on an intuitive tech platform. Through a co-employment model, Nextep assumes the administrative liability so business owners can focus on growing their bottom line. Learn more about how we deliver HR Where You Are® at www.nextep.com.
About Learfield
Learfield is a diversified and influential 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.