This is a Bad Look”: Fans React as Ohio State Inks $17,000,000 Deal with JPMorgan Chase — Yahoo Sports

RESOLVING THE LEDGER

This is a Bad Look”: Fans React as Ohio State Inks $17,000,000 Deal with JPMorgan Chase — Yahoo Sports | AIPROPX

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Beau Atkinson (14) celebrates a stop during the NCAA football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Oct. 4, 2025. Credit: Imagn

Ohio State just announced its partnership with JPMorgan Chase and will place the bank’s logo on jerseys across all 36 varsity sports from the 2026-27 season.

According to ESPN, the agreement is expected to generate nearly $17 million per year, making it one of the richest jersey patch deals in college sports to date. While the record-breaking deal represents a major financial win for the Buckeyes, it also sparked a heated debate among college football fans over the continued commercialization of the sport.

Many fans questioned whether jersey sponsorships belong in college athletics.

“Didn’t realize Ohio State was poor. Yikes. This is a bad look,” one fan wrote on X.

However, not everyone opposed the partnership.

Ohio State Lands Historic Partnership With JPMorgan Chase

Athletic director Ross Bjork called JPMorgan Chase a natural partner with deep ties to Ohio and said the collaboration would create new opportunities for student-athletes while helping sustain the department’s competitive success.

“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,” he 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.”

“Ohio State leads the way in college athletics, and we’re proud to support the student-athletes and fans who power that tradition,” said Chase CEO Jennifer Roberts. “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.”

The Buckeyes signed a 15-year deal with Nike apparel in 2016. Combined with the new Chase partnership, the team will now generate close to $34 million annually from those two agreements alone.

Whether fans embrace the jersey patch or not, Ohio State has positioned itself at the forefront of the new era, with one of the biggest partnerships in college sports.