On Friday it was announced that the NCAA has approved commercial jersey patches, effective Aug. 1. That means for the 2026 football season uniforms around college football will start to look like those of the NBA, NHL, and MLB, which have in recent years started selling a patch on their jerseys.
Currently the Columbus Blue Jackets have a Safelite AutoGlass patch, the Cleveland Cavaliers are sponsored by Cleveland-Cliffs, and the Cincinnati Reds had a patch from Kroger on their uniforms last year.
So who could we see as the Ohio State jersey sponsor this coming year? The battle to earn the coveted spot on the iconic Buckeye uniforms is something athletic director Ross Bjork has been waiting to sell off ever since he was picked to replace Gene Smith.
Now that the NCAA has approved the sale of a jersey patch, Bjork probably has meetings already lined up with all kinds of companies from Columbus and around Ohio.
Since it’s frigid in Ohio right now and there is a snowstorm barreling towards the state, I figured today we could have a few laughs since it’s something we all need because everyone is on edge making sure they are prepared for the 1 to 47 inches of snow that are being predicted to fall around the state.
Today we are going to look at some of the best and worst Ohio State commercial jersey patches. Some are obvious fits, while others are a bit outside of the box, and then there are some that are so awful it’d be funny.
Wendy’s/Skyline/White Castle
Imagine the bidding war that could take place between these three fast food behemoths for a spot on the scarlet and gray uniforms.
Wendy’s and White Castle have ties to Columbus, which would make them perfect for a deal with Ohio State. I can already imagine Wendy’s supplementing their commercial uniform patch with a “Chris Henry Jr.‘s Tendys”. I expect some sort of finders fee if this ad campaign does actually happen, and I am more than willing to accept Baconators as payment.
I don’t think I’m ready to accept the possibility that Skyline could have a jersey patch on Ohio State uniforms. My disgust for Skyline has been documented over the years, as it is essentially dumpster food. Although I wouldn’t blame Jeremiah Smith if he wanted to get paid by Skyline and is in advertisements saying something along the lines of how the 4-way is the only way to go, since his number is 4.
I’m pretty much giving these companies gold when it comes to advertising ideas for possible NIL crossovers after a jersey patch deal with the university.
Kurgis & Associates
The most intimidating commercial jersey patch would definitely be the Kurgis & Associates patch. Just stick Kevin Kurgis’ scowling face on a patch on Ohio State’s jersey and I’m not sure the Buckeyes would ever lose a game again.
Whenever I see a Kurgis & Associates commercial, I’m usually cowering in the corner but the end of it since I feel like Kevin Kurgis is yelling directly at me. The Buckeye defense would never give up more than 10 points in a game again!
Apex Pros Plumbing
On the other end of the spectrum, the least intimidating commercial jersey patch would be from Apex Pros Plumbing. Their commercials do make me laugh since it is funny to imagine a bear doing plumbing work.
Although I’ll be honest, having a plumbing company as a uniform sponsor could lead to some bad jokes, especially if Ohio State isn’t playing up to the high expectations that are always set for them.
Nationwide
The most obvious partnership for Ohio State is with Nationwide, since the insurance company has their headquarters in Columbus. Nationwide pretty much runs the city, since we have Nationwide Arena, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and more.
If these two combine forces then maybe we can get some Buckeyes in Nationwide commercials. How about Julian Sayin doing a Nationwide commercial to push his Heisman campaign where he makes jokes about Peyton Manning never winning the Heisman?
That would certainly spice up what has all the makings of a dull partnership!
Buckeye Donuts
This is what the people really want! Buckeye Donuts is a campus institution and it would be a match made in heaven if the rest of the world could learn about the greatness of Buckeye Donuts.
This will never happen since it’s way too much fun to think about and Ohio State doesn’t deal in fun.
COSI
If we can’t have Buckeye Donuts, then we could have some educational fun with COSI. There could be some fun tie-ins with a COSI/Ohio State partnership. During home games they could have some sort of pre-taped segment that is Matt Patricia’s Science Minute.
If Patricia can draw up defensive schemes the way he does, imagine what could do when he starts adding in some science!
Why stop there? The Blue Jackets have a promotion where you get half of a pizza the next day when they score at least two goals in a game. How about if the Buckeyes win, you get x amount off of admission the next day depending on how many points they scored in the game.
COSI would be hoping for less games against the Grambling States of the world and more games against teams like Texas.
Roosters
Since Roosters already sponsors so much when it comes to Ohio State athletics, I’m already assuming they’ll find a way to be the commercial patch sponsor. I’m not a fan of the chain since I’m from Western New York and I actually know what a good chicken wing tastes like, but it seems like a lot of people around Columbus do enjoy their wings.
A fun, casual joint is correct if you aren’t serious about your chicken wings.
And how have we not gotten some sort of televised wing eating contest between the offensive and defensive lines yet? Have the proceeds go to charity and maybe raffle off a couple spots to the public to participate. I’d rather watch the big guys in the trenches crush some wings over Joey Chestnut’s disgustingly shovel hot dogs down his throat every year.
More chicken wing eating contest and less hot dog ones.
