Ohio State Secures $17 Million Jersey-Patch Partnership with JPMorgan Chase

Ohio State University’s athletic department announced a multi-year agreement with JPMorgan Chase that will place the bank’s logo on the uniforms of all 36 Buckeyes teams. The partnership is projected to generate nearly $17 million annually, a figure described by insiders as larger than most NBA jersey-patch contracts and among the most lucrative non-apparel deals in college sports. The arrangement also includes name-image-likeness (NIL) opportunities for student-athletes.

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Uniform patches were approved in January by Division I leaders as a new revenue stream, allowing teams to add up to two patches of no more than four square inches on regular-season uniforms. The Big 12 has entered a conference-wide deal with Monster Energy that will distribute $20 million across its 16 member schools, while Notre Dame recently secured a reported $20 million-per-year sponsorship with SoFi, according to insider Ross Dellenger. These agreements illustrate a broader shift toward corporate branding on college jerseys.

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Commentary surrounding the Ohio State deal has underscored the financial disparity within the sport. Analysts note that the Buckeyes’ $17 million annual payout exceeds the total $20 million the Big 12 receives from its Monster Energy partnership, raising questions about how programs such as the Colorado Buffaloes can compete. Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, whose arrival has boosted the program’s visibility and merchandising sales, is cited in discussions about the challenges of matching Ohio State’s branding revenue.

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Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork said the partnership reflects a “natural alignment” between a global brand rooted in Ohio and the university’s commitment to innovation and community impact. He added that the deal creates meaningful opportunities for student-athletes and supports the sustained excellence of the athletic programs.

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The NCAA’s recent approval of uniform patches suggests further growth in corporate sponsorships. The Big 12’s commissioner Brett Yormark indicated that while the conference’s deal covers football and basketball, individual schools may still pursue separate agreements, as demonstrated by BYU’s July 2026 partnership with Entrata. Ohio State’s agreement sets a benchmark that could influence future negotiations across the collegiate landscape.

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