Ohio State-JPMorgan Chase partnership, explained: Why Buckeyes agreed to deal with banking institution

The Ohio State Buckeyes are one of the premier brands in college athletics, and now the school is partnering with a premier investment bank.

Ohio State announced that it agreed to a partnership deal with JPMorgan Chase, which will put the bank's logo on Ohio State jerseys across athletics.

The start of a new chapter begins today @Chase. #GoBucks | #ChasePartner pic.twitter.com/CoNsD8csiz

— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) July 28, 2026

In the age of NIL, college programs are finding new and creative ways to create avenues that will help their teams keep up with the rest of the country. Ohio State is at the head of this race, now agreeing to a deal with a popular bank and brand.

Here's the breakdown of the Buckeyes' new jersey-patch deal.

MORE: College football predictions for 2026 bowl games

Ohio State-JPMorgan Chase partnership

On Tuesday, Ohio State and JPMorgan Chase announced a nearly-$17 million partnership that will put the investment banking company's logo on Buckeyes jerseys in all 36 sports. Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, it is expected to be the "industry leader" among these kinds of partnerships.

NEWS: Ohio Stare is entering a new corporate partnership with JPMorganChase that includes jersey patches for all 36 OSU teams. Per industry sources, this is expected to yield OSU nearly $17 million per year, an eye-popping number that’s expected to be an industry leader. pic.twitter.com/rZkkeYAuTM

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) July 28, 2026

JPMorgan Chase now has the title of the official bank sponsor of Ohio State Athletics beginning in the 2026-27 season.

Why Ohio State is partnering with JPMorgan Chase

As part of the deal, JPMorgan Chase will assist in supporting NIL opportunities of Ohio State athletes while also providing Ohio State resources to give its students financial literacy education. Buckeyes athletes will get access to programs that will help them prepare for life after college.

In the deal's announcement, Ohio State Athletic Director Ross Bjork explained why the two sides were such a natural fit.

"JPMorganChase is a global brand with deep roots in Ohio, making them a natural partner that shares our commitment to innovation, excellence and long-term community impact," Bjork said. "Together, we have built a comprehensive and historic partnership that reflects the strong commercial strength of the Ohio State Athletics identity and the broader college athletics landscape. This relationship creates meaningful opportunities for our student-athletes that support the sustained excellence and competitiveness of our athletic programs, while honoring the tradition and values of Ohio State."

For JPMorgan Chase, the company views the partnership as a way to further make connections with the biggest school in Ohio while also making inroads in college athletics.

"Ohio State leads the way in college athletics, and we're proud to support the student-athletes and fans who power that tradition," Jennifer Roberts, CEO of Chase Consumer Banking, said. "From financial education and resources for student-athletes to exclusive fan experiences and gameday offers, this partnership brings Chase's unique capabilities to the Ohio State community—on campus, in the stands and beyond."

Ohio State remains one of the powerhouse programs in all of college football, and this is further proof of the school's standing.

MORE: Ranking all 138 college football coaches ahead of 2026 season

Ohio State-JPMorgan Chase jersey patch

The JPMorgan Chase patch will be on the front of Ohio State jerseys across college athletics. In football, it is located over the right shoulder, while it is apparently on the left shoulder for basketball jerseys.

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) July 28, 2026

The patch is simply the classic Chase logo with the banks name under the logo, and it fits in pretty seamlessly with the rest of the jersey.