CHASE BANK TO BE FIRST-EVER JERSEY PATCH SPONSOR FOR OHIO STATE ATHLETICS
By Josh Poloha and Dan Hope
Ohio State’s football jersey with Chase Bank patch
Ohio State Dept. of Athletics
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Ohio State’s sports teams will have a jersey patch sponsor on their uniforms for the first time this season.
Chase Bank will be the first-ever jersey patch sponsor for all 36 of Ohio State’s sports teams as part of a partnership between Ohio State and JPMorganChase.
Ohio State football jersey with Chase Bank patch
Chase Bank jersey patch on an Ohio State football jersey. (Photo: Ohio State Dept. of Athletics)
“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,” Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork said in a statement. “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.”
In addition to the jersey patch sponsorship, JPMorgan Chase will provide NIL opportunities to Ohio State athletes. Chase will also provide financial literacy resources to Ohio State athletes through “dedicated programming,” according to a news release.
“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 in a statement. “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.”
JPMorganChase will also be the presenting sponsor of the 1922 Club, a new private club at Ohio Stadium, and will have expanded branding at Ohio Stadium and the Schottenstein Center. Chase cardholders will receive access to special ticket offers, gameday savings, premium experiences and “other opportunities designed to deepen fans’ connection to the Buckeyes,” per the news release.
Ohio State basketball jersey with Chase Bank patch
Ohio State basketball jersey with Chase Bank patch. (Photo: Ohio State Dept. of Athletics)
Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed by Ohio State, but ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that the deal is expected to yield nearly $17 million per year for OSU.
Ohio State had been pursuing a jersey patch sponsor since January, when Learfield revealed that the university was engaged with highly interested brands.
“As one of the most celebrated schools in college athletics, boasting 36 sports, a jersey patch opportunity with Ohio State would represent one of the most highly coveted sponsor partnerships in college sports,” Learfield wrote in its news release.
With the NCAA approving uniform patches in January, it was inevitable that OSU would have one beginning this year. That said, Bjork said Ohio State wanted to be thoughtful about choosing a sponsor that aligned with the Buckeyes’ brand. In Chase Bank, Ohio State partnered with the largest bank in the United States, which is also headquartered in Columbus.
The football Buckeyes will debut the Chase Bank jersey patch as part of their new football uniforms featuring Buckeye stripes when they open their season against Ball State on Sept. 5 at Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State, JPMorganChase reach lucrative jersey patch deal
Ohio State is entering a new corporate partnership with JPMorganChase that includes jersey patches for all 36 of the Buckeyes' teams and will yield nearly $17 million per year for the athletic program, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Tuesday.
It is believed to be one of the biggest non-apparel corporate deals in college sports.
The yearly income generated by the jersey patches is expected to be an industry leader and is bigger than many NBA jersey patch deals.
"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," Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork said in a statement. "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."
NCAA approves jersey patches beginning Aug. 1
OSU's deal also includes NIL opportunities for athletes.
Uniform patches were approved in January by Division I leaders as a means to generate millions to fund athletic departments that are looking for new ways to pay players. In addition to the logos already allowed for the uniform manufacturers, teams can place up to two patches of no more than 4 square inches on uniforms for regular-season games.
The College Football Playoff has also been looking into how to allow patches for that sport's postseason.
