Ohio State football makes significant change ahead of 2026 fans that fans might feel split on
We’ve entered the time where Ohio State is comfortable with accepting corporate sponsorships on its uniforms. It’s easy to see why with the dollar amount the Buckeyes will be bringing in.
Ohio State football uniforms are getting a new look. The Buckeyes have entered into a corporate partnership with JPMorgan Chase that will place jersey patches across all 36 of Ohio State’s sports teams, with the football program serving as the most notable addition.
What the deal means for Ohio State
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the deal is expected to yield Ohio State nearly $17 million. The figure is a Big Ten leader and an industry-leading number for the current college sports landscape. Thamel reported the value is higher than some NBA jersey patch deals, which puts into perspective how significant this partnership is for the program.
The deal also includes NIL opportunities for Ohio State athletes, adding another layer to what is believed to be one of the biggest non-apparel corporate deals in college sports history. That’s a massive win for Ohio State’s athletic department, and it puts $17 million into the program’s pocket that it didn’t have before. To put this into perspective, Big 12 schools are earning around $1 million annually from the confrence’s deal with Monster Energy.
Jersey patches won’t sit well with everyone
Jersey patches aren’t something college football fans are used to seeing. Ohio State’s uniforms carry a certain prestige, and there’s going to be a segment of the fanbase that doesn’t want those touched. That’s understandable.
Wisconsin already went down this road with a Culver’s sponsorship deal on its jerseys. Ohio State’s partnership with Chase Bank should be a bit easier to accept given the nature of the brand, but the pushback will still come.
The reality is that college football has changed. Some athletes are making millions of dollars through NIL, and schools need to continue raising money any way they can. A $17 million deal is nothing to scoff at, and it’s a clear sign of where the sport is heading.
What to expect going forward
Fans should expect to see the Chase logo on Ohio State uniforms starting in 2026. It’ll take some getting used to, but corporate partnerships on jerseys are the new normal in college athletics. Ohio State landing a deal of this magnitude only reinforces that the Buckeyes are operating at the highest level financially, and it could push other programs to follow suit.
Time will tell how fans adjust, but the money speaks for itself.