Ohio State and JPMorgan Chase Form Partnership
Ohio State Athletics has announced a significant partnership with JPMorgan Chase, designating the financial services firm as the official bank sponsor of Ohio State Athletics. This agreement marks JPMorgan Chase’s initial venture into college athletics and establishes Chase as the new jersey patch partner for all 36 of Ohio State’s men’s and women’s varsity programs. The collaboration aims to provide new resources for student-athletes through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, enhance the competitive success of the Buckeyes, and foster academic partnerships across the university.
Ross Bjork, Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation-Eugene Smith Endowed Athletics Director at Ohio State, emphasized that JPMorgan Chase, with its strong presence in Ohio, is a natural partner. He stated that the partnership reflects the commercial strength of the Ohio State Athletics identity and the broader college athletics landscape, creating meaningful opportunities for student-athletes while upholding the university’s traditions and values.
The deal, announced on July 28, includes the addition of the bank’s logo to the uniforms. While the specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed, one report indicates the deal could be valued at nearly $17 million annually. The NCAA approved a rule change in January, allowing schools to feature up to two corporate patches on team uniforms and equipment starting in the upcoming academic year.
Enhancing Student-Athlete and Fan Experience
A core focus of the partnership between Ohio State and JPMorgan Chase is to improve the student-athlete experience. This includes a strong emphasis on financial education, the establishment of student-athlete financial councils, career development, and support for long-term personal success. Student-athletes will gain access to financial literacy resources, advisory support, and tools designed to prepare them for their lives beyond athletic competition.
Jennifer Roberts, CEO of Chase Consumer Banking, highlighted the firm’s commitment to supporting student-athletes and fans. She noted that the partnership will bring Chase’s capabilities to the Ohio State community through financial education and resources for student-athletes, as well as exclusive fan experiences and gameday offers.
The collaboration also builds upon JPMorgan Chase’s existing relationship with central Ohio and Ohio State, which includes student engagement, commercial banking, and career pathways. Over the past five years, more than 1,700 Ohio State University alumni have joined the firm. Academic collaborations are ongoing, featuring classroom presentations, mentorships, scholarships, internships, and career fairs.
Becky Griffin, Columbus Location Leader at JPMorgan Chase, affirmed the firm’s commitment to the community, citing its 18,000 employees in central Ohio and over 155 years of presence in the state. She stated that the partnership further strengthens their longstanding relationship with the university, supporting student engagement, financial education, and career opportunities.
Impact on Athletics and Revenue
The partnership is also set to enhance the fan experience across Ohio State Athletics. This will involve expanded branding at Ohio Stadium and the Schottenstein Center. JPMorgan Chase will also serve as the presenting sponsor of the new 1922 Club, offering exclusive cardholder benefits such as special ticket offers, gameday savings, and premium experiences to deepen fan connection to the Buckeyes.
The bank’s logo will be the third patch on the Buckeyes’ football jerseys, alongside those for the Big Ten and Nike, in addition to Ohio State branding. Shared images show a white Chase patch with the bank’s wordmark positioned on the right chest of the jerseys, above the Big Ten logo.
This agreement was facilitated in collaboration with University and Athletics Leadership and Learfield’s Ohio State Sports Properties, which is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Ohio State Athletics. Cole Gahagan, CEO of Learfield, noted that JPMorgan Chase’s first investment in college athletics underscores the strength of the Buckeyes brand and the storytelling power within college sports.
The Ohio State University Department of Athletics operates as a self-sustaining unit, without receiving university funds, tax dollars, or student fees. The department supports approximately 1,000 student-athletes across 36 scholarship, varsity sports. The revenue generated from such sponsorship deals is expected to assist the athletic department in managing new expenses related to revenue sharing with athletes, a new compensation model that followed the final approval of a settlement of three antitrust lawsuits last year. Ohio State plans to disburse the maximum allowable amount of $21.3 million to athletes in football, men’s and women’s basketball, and women’s volleyball during the 2026-27 academic year.
Source: ohiostatebuckeyes.com