Overview
- Ohio State disclosed the partnership with JPMorgan Chase on Tuesday, July 28, saying the bank will sponsor uniform patches for all 36 varsity sports beginning in the 2026–27 season.
- Multiple industry outlets reported the agreement at about $15–17 million per year while the university declined to confirm financial terms.
- The Chase patch will sit on game uniforms alongside existing Big Ten and Nike marks and the deal is reported to include NIL opportunities, fan benefits, and athlete financial‑education programs.
- Athletic officials say the new sponsorship money is intended to help cover rising costs tied to recent revenue‑sharing rules, including Ohio State’s plan to distribute about $21.3 million to certain teams in 2026–27.
- The Ohio State pact follows a wave of similar contracts and NCAA rule changes that allow small commercial patches on uniforms, a shift that gives elite programs outsized bargaining power and may widen financial gaps across Division I.