In 2022, JPMorgan Chase bankers were retained to help Florida State University explore potential private equity funding for its athletic department. Four years later, the bank announced its first sponsorship deal in college sports, a wide-ranging partnership with the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The two engagements, which involve two different units within the banking giant, together showcase the rapid professionalization of college sports. External financing and multimillion-dollar jersey patch deals are both staples of the more traditional U.S. pro sports leagues—and JPMorgan Chase has featured prominently in both sectors—but they’re relatively recent arrivals in the college ranks.
Under the Ohio State deal, the Chase logo and name will be added to the uniforms of all 36 Buckeyes varsity teams starting in the 2026-27 academic year. It will also feature additional sponsorship space, benefits for Chase customers and educational opportunities for athletes that include financial literacy resources and career development.
Though financial terms weren’t announced, Ohio State is one of the richest and most successful athletic departments in the country, so it’s reasonable to expect its patch partner would be among the most expensive. Reps for Ohio State and Learfield, the school’s multimedia rights partner, declined to provide specifics.
