Ohio State Athletics and JPMorgan Chase Partnership
Ohio State Athletics has announced a partnership with JPMorgan Chase, designating the financial services firm as the official bank sponsor of Ohio State Athletics. This agreement marks JPMorgan Chase’s first venture into college athletics. The firm will also become the new jersey patch partner for all Ohio State’s 36 men’s and women’s varsity programs.
The partnership aims to provide new resources for Ohio State student-athletes, including opportunities related to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). It is also intended to enhance the Buckeyes’ competitive success and facilitate academic collaborations across the university. The deal was unveiled on July 28.
Ross Bjork, Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation-Eugene Smith Endowed Athletics Director at Ohio State, stated that JPMorgan Chase is a global brand with strong ties to Ohio. He emphasized that the partnership reflects the commercial strength of the Ohio State Athletics identity and the broader college athletics landscape, creating opportunities for student-athletes while upholding the university’s traditions and values.
Enhancing Student-Athlete and Fan Experience
A core focus of the collaboration 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 fostering long-term personal success. Student-athletes will gain access to financial literacy resources, advisory support, and tools designed to prepare them for life beyond their athletic careers.
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, resources for student-athletes, exclusive fan experiences, and gameday offers.
The agreement also includes expanded JPMorgan Chase branding at Ohio Stadium and the Schottenstein Center. JPMorgan Chase will serve as the presenting sponsor of the new 1922 Club, and cardholders will receive exclusive benefits. These benefits encompass special ticket offers, gameday savings, premium experiences, and other opportunities designed to deepen fan engagement with the Buckeyes.
The NCAA’s recent rule change in January allowed schools to add up to two corporate patches to team uniforms and equipment starting in the upcoming academic year. The JPMorgan Chase 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 positioned on the right chest of the jerseys, above the Big Ten logo.
Financial Implications and Community Impact
While the specific financial terms of the deal were not disclosed in the announcement, reports indicate the agreement could be worth nearly $17 million annually. This revenue is expected to assist the athletic department in managing new expenses related to revenue sharing with athletes, a compensation model that followed the final approval of a settlement in three antitrust lawsuits last year.
Ohio State plans to distribute 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.
The partnership builds on JPMorgan Chase’s existing relationship with central Ohio and Ohio State, which includes student engagement, financial education, commercial banking, career pathways, and athletics. The firm has brought more than 1,700 Ohio State University alumni into its workforce over the past five years. Ongoing academic collaborations feature classroom presentations, mentorships, scholarships, internships, and career fairs.
Becky Griffin, Columbus Location Leader at JPMorgan Chase, emphasized the firm’s commitment to the community, noting its 18,000 employees in central Ohio and over 155 years of presence in the state. She stated that the partnership further strengthens their long-standing relationship with the university, supporting student engagement, financial education, and career pathways.
The agreement was facilitated in collaboration with University and Athletics Leadership and Learfield’s Ohio State Sports Properties, the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Ohio State Athletics. Cole Gahagan, CEO of Learfield, noted that this partnership, as JPMorgan Chase’s first investment in college athletics, highlights the strength of the Buckeyes brand and the power of storytelling within college sports.
Source: ohiostatebuckeyes.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.