Ohio State Teams Up With JPMorgan Chase for New Jersey Patch

Ohio State University will showcase a JPMorgan Chase patch on all 36 varsity uniforms beginning the 2026 season. The sponsorship, announced Tuesday, is expected to bring in $17 million annually for the university.

Historical Context

• 2016 Nike Deal: Ohio State signed a landmark apparel contract worth $252 million over 15 years, the largest of its kind in college sports.
• Combined, the JPMorgan and Nike partnerships generate roughly $33.9 million in revenue for the Buckeyes.

Financial Impact

• A December 2025 CNBC report ranks Ohio State as the second‑most valuable college athletics program, valued at $1.35 billion, just behind Texas ($1.48 billion).
• The new partnership will further elevate Ohio State’s Name‑Image‑Likeness (NIL) revenue, which stood at $20 million for the 2024 football squad that won the College Football Playoff.

NCAA Rule Change

The NCAA has recently approved a rule allowing Division I teams to sell advertising space on uniforms, gear, and apparel. Under the new policy:

• Teams may display up to two brand logos.
• Each logo is limited to a maximum of four square inches.

This regulatory shift makes the 2026 season historic for Ohio State, as the new JPMorgan Chase patch will be one of the first official sponsorships under the updated guidelines.