In a groundbreaking move that has sent shockwaves across the college football landscape, former NFL MVP and cultural icon Cam Newton has officially joined the ownership group behind Ohio State Football’s NIL and business venture consortium, becoming one of the most high-profile athletes to invest in a collegiate program’s new era of brand-building.
Announced early Tuesday morning at a press conference held at The Schottenstein Center, Newton stood alongside Buckeye athletic officials, boosters, and new head coach Marcus Freeman, beaming in a crimson-and-gray custom three-piece suit. “This ain’t just business—it’s legacy,” Newton declared. “Ohio State isn’t just a football factory; it’s a movement, a dynasty in progress. I’m not here to ride the wave. I’m here to help steer it.”
Though Newton never played in the Big Ten—or for Ohio State—his move into this unique ownership role ties directly into the evolving world of NIL, where college athletes now leverage branding and endorsement deals. Newton, who once redefined the quarterback position at Auburn and led the Carolina Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance, is no stranger to trailblazing. With his charisma, experience, and deep understanding of athlete marketing, he’s expected to help elevate the Buckeyes’ already elite recruiting pipeline into a global brand.
The ownership stake Newton acquired is tied to “THE Foundation,” a private NIL collective tied to Ohio State’s athletic and branding efforts, which has recently opened its doors to external celebrity investors. Newton’s role won’t be symbolic. According to sources, he will spearhead player mentorship programs, content development for NIL brand expansions, and leadership summits for incoming athletes—a first-of-its-kind model in college sports.
“This is the blueprint,” said Freeman, who begins his first season as Ohio State’s head coach. “When you combine championship expectations with people who know what it takes to win at the highest level—on and off the field—you create something unstoppable. Cam’s vision aligns perfectly with ours.”
Newton’s announcement comes amid a flurry of change in college football: expanded playoffs, rising NIL stakes, and a shift toward athlete empowerment. His involvement in Columbus is more than an endorsement—it’s a statement. A statement that Ohio State is not just recruiting talent; it’s recruiting greatness to manage and inspire that talent.
The Buckeyes are now the first college football program to boast an NFL MVP as part of its ownership network. With Newton on board, expectations are soaring. As one fan scrawled on a handmade sign outside the Horseshoe: “Superman wears scarlet now.”
This new chapter, blending business savvy and football legacy, might be the most electrifying thing to hit the Buckeyes since
