Ohio State announced a jersey patch sponsorship agreement with JPMorgan Chase on July 28, marking the third corporate logo to appear on its football uniforms alongside the Big Ten and Nike insignia.
Corporate patches become a new revenue lever
The partnership extends to all 36 of the university’s varsity programs, signaling a broad financial alliance that reaches beyond a single sport.
The deal emerges as the NCAA approved a rule change earlier this year that permits schools to add up to two corporate patches to athletes’ apparel, a move designed to generate additional funding amid rising athlete compensation costs.
For Ohio State, the influx of sponsorship revenue will be earmarked to help fund a $21.3 million distribution to football players, men’s and women’s basketball athletes and women’s volleyball players by the 2026‑27 academic year.
The agreement also builds on a prior naming‑rights arrangement with Safelite, which already sponsors the field at Ohio Stadium, illustrating a layered approach to corporate involvement in college athletics.
Industry analysts say the new revenue stream reflects a broader shift in how collegiate sports are financed, as schools navigate the intersection of commercial sponsorship, regulatory change and athlete compensation.