Miami ought to be paying close attention after Ohio State landed a jersey patch deal with JPMorgan Chase that’s worth more than $15 million, with reports putting the figure closer to $17 million.
The Buckeyes’ agreement gives the banking giant sponsorship rights across all of Ohio State’s varsity sports, men’s and women’s, along with a patch on the jersey or uniform. As On3’s Pete Nakos wrote, "The deal spans the full athletic department and all 36 varsity sports. The investment also provides new resources to support Ohio State athletes through NIL opportunities, enhances the Buckeyes' overall competitive success and facilitates academic partnerships across the university,"
That kind of arrangement feels like the next wave in college sports, and Miami is positioned as well as just about anybody to jump in. The Hurricanes sit in a market loaded with major corporate players, and several brands with deep ties to the city could make sense as potential partners.
Robinhood is one obvious name. The financial services company is based in California, but it has a strong presence in Miami.
It already serves as the jersey sponsor for the Miami Heat, and the city hosted the company’s massive HOOD summit event in 2024. The question is whether its links to sports gambling through its predictions market would make it a tough sell for the university.
Lenovo is another possibility. The tech company is headquartered in China and Hong Kong, but it has a corporate hub in Miami and a wide sponsorship footprint in sports. Its logo appears on the back of Inter Milan jerseys, and Motorola Mobility, which Lenovo owns, has had its mark on the shoulders of several NBA teams, including the Chicago Bulls.
Then there are the cruise lines. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian and Celebrity all have major hubs in Miami.
Carnival previously had the jersey patch for the Heat, while Royal Caribbean currently has a patch on Inter Miami’s jersey in MLS. For a city built on beach life and cruise life, that kind of partnership fits naturally.
BankUnited also stands out. The company was founded in Miami Lakes and has grown into a multi-billion dollar regional financial services business with operations up and down the Eastern seaboard.
Ryde r is another name to keep in the mix. The transportation company has been part of Miami’s business community for more than 90 years. Former CEO Robert Sanchez is a Miami alum, and current top executive John Diez graduated from FIU.
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