• by Tanya Gazdik , February 2, 2022

Outback Steakhouse is expanding its TeamMates program to include 12 college basketball players. 

New TeamMates from top men's and women's basketball programs across the country will have their favorite Outback Steakhouse bundle meals available exclusively on Outback's online ordering platform. 

Giving back is one of the chain's core values and will be a focal point throughout the basketball season. Outback, the TeamMates and Coaches vs. Cancer will raise awareness and money for the American Cancer Society and other charitable programs. 

As part of the football portion of the program in the fall, Outback donated $25,000 to Operation Homefront, helping provide meals to military families in need.

Fans can also enter the national “Outback Hoop Dreams SweepSteaks," beginning in early February, for a chance to win $10,000 towards a “fan cave” home renovation. A runner-up will receive a trip to New Orleans  to the National Championship game.

The Outback TeamMates class of 2022 for college basketball includes players from Duke University, University of North Carolina, University of Michigan, University of Maryland, Villanova University and Arizona State University.

The fast-casual chain signed the first seven college football athletes to kick off the TeamMates program in October. The athletes were from The Ohio State University, the University of Michigan and the University of Florida.

The players are signed in accordance with recent policy allowing college athletes to profit off of their name, image and likeness (NIL).

Those accepted through the open call application will receive Outback Steakhouse gift cards and official TeamMates merchandise. More than 200 athletes applied to be in the program during the fall season. 

Outback Steakhouse will continue to add additional male and female college athletes throughout the year, with all eligible spring sport student-athletes encouraged to apply for consideration at www.outback.com/teammates. The deadline for spring sport applicants is March 4.

The restaurant plans to  accept an initial wave of nearly 100 athletes across 22 different NCAA Division I sports into the program.