The investment marks another milestone in Nationwide’s centennial year and reflects the company’s continued belief in the future of Columbus and one of its most iconic franchises.

“As we celebrate Nationwide’s 100th anniversary, we are focused not only on where we’ve been, but where we’re going,” said Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker. “The Crew and its fans represent the passion and strong connection to the Central Ohio community that Nationwide has enjoyed for more than a century. Now is the right time for us to deepen our investment in the team and the city’s future.”

The announcement comes nearly two months after the Haslam Sports Group, the Edwards family and Nationwide helped bring the 18th National Women’s Soccer League franchise to Columbus.

“Nationwide is a cornerstone institution that’s consistently shown an exceptional commitment to Columbus. Kirt Walker and Nationwide leadership share our vision for the Crew and Columbus NWSL 2028 of consistently competing on the pitch, creating incredible fan experiences and serving as leaders in our local community,” said Haslam Sports Group CEO and Chairman, Managing Partners Dee and Jimmy Haslam. “We’re proud to strengthen our long-term partnership and collective dedication to advancing soccer in Central Ohio for both our men’s and women’s clubs.”

Nationwide will partner with Haslam Sports Group and the Edwards family to support the continued success and long-term growth of the franchise. No other details of the deal will be released.

Visit Nationwide.com for more information about the company and ColumbusCrew.com for the latest on club news.

When the results finally came back, Braylee was diagnosed with a malignant mixed germ cell ovarian tumor, a rare, aggressive type of cancer that is a combination of two or more types of germ cell tumors.

After meeting with the hospital’s oncology team immediately following the diagnosis, Braylee had a port installed and began chemotherapy. After enduring several rounds of chemo and spending her 12^th birthday at Nationwide Children’s, Braylee completed her treatment plan in January 2024. Just a few weeks later, the family received the wonderful news that the scans showed no sign of the tumor and no further treatment was needed. 

Now 14 years old, the eighth grader who aspires to be either a family physician or pediatric psychiatrist has a message of encouragement for anyone facing health challenges. “Keep going. You will get there. You’re in the tunnel, and the tunnel might be long, but it doesn’t stay dark forever.”

Braylee’s courageous spirit was celebrated at the 16^th annual Legends Luncheon presented by Nationwide, where Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, along with son Jack II and his wife Alli, announced Braylee as the 2026 Nicklaus Youth Spirit Award recipient. The award honors a patient champion who has shown strength and positivity in the face of adversity. The recognition is a highlight of the Legends Luncheon, an annual event hosted by the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, that showcases the Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation alliance.

“Stories like Braylee’s reinforce why Nationwide is proud to support Nationwide Children’s Hospital and its commitment to ensuring that children and families receive exceptional care when they need it most,” said Ann Bair, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide.

This year’s event raised $1.5 million for the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation and Nationwide Children’s Hospital alliance, bringing the 16-year total to nearly $18 million. All proceeds of the Legends Luncheon directly benefit the young patients and families that Nationwide Children’s compassionately serves each day.

Learn how you can support the work being done at Nationwide Children's Hospital. 

Years later, the insurance agent at the family-owned Bouchat Agency in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania got that chance when he was invited by Nationwide to announce a pick at the 2026 NFL Draft in his hometown of Pittsburgh.

On Day 3 of the Draft, Bouchat took the podium before tens of thousands of football fans to reveal the fifth round, 154th overall selection, for the San Francisco 49ers – Jaden Duggar, linebacker from University of Louisiana. (Watch Nick announce the selection. Courtesy: NFL.com)

The moment took on added meaning due to a unique circumstance that loosely connected the Bouchat family to Duggar, who hails from the Pittsburgh area. Outside of his work as the agency co-owner, Nick’s father Jon has been a volunteer kicking coach for high schoolers in the western Pennsylvania area for roughly 15 years.

“Jaden is from Penn Hills, and my dad actually coached against him a few years ago when he was at Kiski Area High School,” Bouchat said. “Penn Hills has a really rich tradition of sending players to the NFL, so for me to be the one calling his name, with that local connection, was pretty surreal.”

When asked to reflect on his overall experience at the Draft, Nick said, “I’m very appreciative, obviously. This is something I never expected to do in my lifetime. It was awesome from start to finish.”

For Nationwide, creating moments like this is one way to recognize agents.

“Nationwide’s partnership with the NFL enables us to offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences,” said Jim McCoy, vice president of sports marketing for Nationwide. “We’re so glad Nick enjoyed this very unique opportunity.”

• Angel City FC - Savy King (Savy King of Hearts)  

• Bay FC - Hannah Bebar (Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative (BAWSI))  

• Boston Legacy FC - Fauzia Najjemba (Soccer Without Borders Massachusetts)  

• Chicago Stars FC - Katie Atkinson (Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital - Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders)  

• Denver Summit FC - Carson Pickett (Hand Camp Colorado)  

• Gotham FC - Tierna Davidson (Girls Leadership)  

• Houston Dash - Kiki Van Zanten (Communities in Schools (CIS) of Houston)  

• Kansas City Current - Izzy Rodriguez (EarlystART)  

• North Carolina Courage - Cameron Brooks (The Bair Foundation)  

• Orlando Pride - Zara Chavoshi (Habitat for Humanity Seminole-Apopka)  

• Portland Thorns FC - Bella Bixby (Friend of Trees)  

• Racing Louisville FC - Jordyn Bloomer (Dare to Care)  

• San Diego Wave FC - Nya Harrison (Monarch School)  

• Seattle Reign FC - Cassie Miller (Nick of Time)  

• Utah Royals FC - Aria Nagai (Asian Association of Utah)  

• Washington Spirit - Leicy Santos (Leicy Santos Foundation)  

Of the 16 Club nominees, one will be announced as the winner as part of the 2026 NWSL Awards, presented by AT&T, during Championship week. At that time, Nationwide will make a $50,000 donation to the charitable organization of the winner’s choice.  

The Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, was introduced in 2024 to honor the two-time NWSL Champion and Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian ESPY Award Lauren Holiday. It spotlights players who exemplify dedication and commitment to giving back in service of their local communities. Holiday retired from the NWSL in 2015 following a career during which she won back-to-back championships, was named the 2013 NWSL MVP and awarded the Golden Boot and was named the 2014 NWSL Championship MVP.  

"It is an honor each year to showcase a group of women who are dedicated to impacting the game and the communities which they are connected to,” said Lauren Holiday. “They continue to redefine the standards on athletes using their platforms to give back and see change.”  

“Nationwide is thrilled to partner with the NWSL to sponsor this award, and we are committed to elevating players who make meaningful impact in their communities,” said Ann Bair, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Nationwide.  

The winner will be determined by a panel of judges that will include Lauren Holiday, NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman, and representatives from Nationwide, NWSLPA, and Media Association.  

“Few things connect people like sports, and the NWSL is honored to support athletes who use their platforms to strengthen communities and rally others around meaningful causes,” said NWSL Chief Commercial Officer Brian Kelly. “The nominees for this year’s Lauren Holiday Impact Award reflect the league at its finest – demonstrating excellence in competition while making a real difference beyond the game.”  

Over the course of the season, each club will recognize its nominee and local community partner during a match. To honor their impact, a $5,000 donation will be made to the chosen nonprofit organization in each market.  

For more information on the Lauren Holiday Impact Award program, click here.  

About NWSL  
The National Women’s Soccer League is the premier women’s professional soccer league in the world featuring national team players from around the globe. The clubs are Angel City FC, Bay FC, Boston Legacy FC, Chicago Stars FC, Denver Summit FC, Gotham FC, Houston Dash, Kansas City Current, North Carolina Courage, NWSL Atlanta, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns FC, Racing Louisville FC, San Diego Wave FC, Seattle Reign FC, Utah Royals FC, and Washington Spirit.  

Nationwide has been an official sponsor of the Columbus Crew since 2020 and the NWSL since 2021. Together with the NWSL, we established the Lauren Holiday Impact Award in 2024, annually recognizing the player who exemplifies exceptional service, leadership and character in their community.

Columbus is a natural fit for an NWSL team. The women’s soccer community in Central Ohio is large, passionate, and long-standing. The city of Columbus has been a long-time destination for momentous U.S. Women’s and Men’s National Soccer Teams matches – this year we’re looking forward to the SheBelieves Cup and the NWSL Challenge Cup.

Columbus’ Arena District is primed and ready to host a second professional soccer club.

After recognizing numerous players and coaches for their on-field accomplishments, the primetime program concluded with the announcement of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide. 2024 Man of the Year Arik Armstead had the honor of revealing Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner as the 2025 recipient. 

The prestigious award that celebrates the enduring legacy of the late, great Chicago Bears running back was established in 1970 and posthumously renamed in Payton’s honor in 1999. It recognizes an NFL player who excels both on the field and in service to his community. Wagner becomes the third player from the Washington franchise to win the award, following Darrell Green (1996) and Joe Theismann (1982).  

Wagner has leveraged his platform to uplift others through mentorship, youth empowerment, and health advocacy, transforming personal loss into purpose through initiatives like FAST54 and the Phenia Mae Fund, named in honor of his late mother. FAST54 and the Phenia Mae Fund have become central to his nationwide work in stroke awareness, education, and patient support—educating thousands while funding critical care, therapies, and emotional resources for families.

Wagner has also prioritized expanding opportunity for young people through his Tackle Everything Tech Tour, connecting high school and college students—particularly from underserved communities—with leaders in technology, entrepreneurship, and venture capital at organizations such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Andreessen Horowitz.

More recently, Wagner has deepened his impact in the Washington, D.C. area, launching a landmark 2025 partnership between the Phenia Mae Fund and Children’s National Hospital to support pediatric stroke care, research, and education, while personally engaging patients and creating memorable experiences for young survivors. These efforts, including the continued expansion of the Tech Tour with students from Prince George’s County and Howard University, reflect Wagner’s enduring commitment to creating access, awareness, and opportunity in the communities he serves.

In honor of Wagner’s outstanding philanthropic contributions, the charity of his choice will receive a donation of up to $250,000. In addition, the charitable beneficiaries designated by the other 31 club winners will each receive a donation of up to $40,000. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation and the Nationwide Foundation.  

“Nationwide is honored to congratulate Bobby Wagner and celebrate his dedication to improving the lives of others,” said Ann Bair, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Nationwide. “As a company that prides itself on being so much more than a business, Nationwide is proud to help showcase the transformative work Bobby and all of the club winners are doing in service to causes and communities around the league.” 

Since becoming presenting sponsor of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2014, Nationwide’s dedication to this platform has elevated one of the NFL’s most revered awards to a new level. As part of this commitment, Nationwide has donated more than $2.3 million to the charitable organizations represented by nominees and winners.  

The Nationwide Foundation has donated $2 million to the NFL Foundation to further support the charitable beneficiaries designated by the Man of the Year nominees and winners.  

To learn more about Bobby Wagner and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, visit www.nfl.com/manoftheyear.  

With three first-place finishes, Kelce becomes the only player to win Charity Challenge each time he was selected as his club’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. The three-time nominee for the Chiefs previously won the fan-driven contest in 2024-25 and 2020-21. Other Chiefs to capture the Charity Challenge crown over the program’s 11-year history include Patrick Mahomes (2022-23), Tyrann Mathieu (2021-22) and Eric Berry (2015-16).   

In recognition of this year’s win, Nationwide will make a $35,000 donation to the charity of Kelce’s choice, the Operation Breakthrough Ignition Lab in Kansas City. Through an ongoing commitment to the kids at Operation Breakthrough for over a decade, Kelce spearheaded The Ignition Lab in 2021 to provide a workforce development program where students ages 14 to 18 spend time each week getting real-world experience in fields ranging from culinary arts to automotive and engineering.

“Congratulations to Travis on becoming the first Charity Challenge champion to repeat,” said Jim McCoy, vice president of sports marketing for Nationwide. “And special thanks to the fans who tallied millions of votes in support of all of the club winners who are doing incredible work in communities around the league.”

Final Charity Challenge voting placed Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins second for the second year in a row, while Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata finished third. Nationwide will make $10,000 and $5,000 donations, respectively, to the charitable beneficiaries of Dawkins and Mailata.

Nationwide created Charity Challenge in 2015 to complement the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year platform, giving fans an opportunity to help their favorite club winners earn additional donations for their designated charities. The national winner of the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, presented by Nationwide, will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special that will air on NBC and NFL Network on Thursday, Feb. 5.

To learn more about the how all 32 club winners are making an impact, visit NFL.com/manoftheyear.

Tournament officials recently gathered with partners and volunteers to announce that the 2025 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship generated a record-setting $3,708,805 for Nationwide Children’s, marking the fifth consecutive year in which the $3 million mark has been exceeded. Since its inception in 2007, the tournament has raised nearly $33 million for the hospital’s nationally recognized pediatric cancer program¹.

“This best-in-class event continues to set the standard on the Korn Ferry Tour for meaningful impact, and we’re deeply grateful to every partner, patron and volunteer whose support makes this tournament so special,” said Craig Hawley, president and chief operating officer for Nationwide Financial and chairman of Champions of the Community, the host organization for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship. “We also want to extend sincere thanks to the Patient Champions and their families who join us during tournament week and whose stories of courage and resilience inspire us year after year.”     

“The tremendous generosity of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship makes lifesaving work possible across so many different areas of the hospital,” said Tim Robinson, CEO of Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “The millions that have been raised from this tournament that support clinical care and groundbreaking cancer research help us reach best outcomes for our patients and families.” 

Since 2011, Nationwide’s sports marketing partnerships have contributed more than $74 million to Nationwide Children’s. Beyond the golf-related fundraising from Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship and the Memorial Tournament’s Legends Luncheon, additional support comes from partnerships with the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Half Marathon, the Columbus Crew and The Dale Jr. Foundation.   

For more information about Nationwide Children’s Hospital or to make a donation, visit nationwidechildrens.org.  

¹ U.S. News & World Report 

“The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award is our league’s most revered honor, celebrating players for their excellence both on and off the field,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “These 32 men represent the best of the NFL, and the incredible contributions they make to their teams and communities every day continue to keep Walter’s legacy alive.”

Below is a list of this year’s club winners:

All 32 club winners will be recognized for their achievements during the week leading up to Super Bowl LX in the Bay Area. The national winner of the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special airing on Thursday, Feb. 5.

Each of this year’s club winners supports a range of causes and initiatives off the field, including uplifting underserved communities, empowering young people to lead healthy lifestyles and many other notable causes. The charitable beneficiary of each team’s club winner will receive up to $40,000, and the nonprofit chosen by the overall national winner will receive up to $250,000. All funds are donations courtesy of the NFL Foundation and the Nationwide Foundation.

Fans are once again encouraged to participate in Nationwide's annual Charity Challenge, a social media and online contest that allows fans to show support for their favorite Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year club winner. Fans can vote on X/Twitter by posting #WPMOYChallenge along with the full name/X handle of their chosen player or by voting directly on NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. The charitable beneficiary of the player who receives the most collective hashtag mentions and online votes will win an additional $35,000 donation from Nationwide, with the nonprofit partners of the runner-up and third-place finishers receiving $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. Charity Challenge voting takes place from December 4 through January 5, 2026.

“As a company deeply rooted in a culture of caring and community support, Nationwide is honored to recognize the inspiring club winners for this year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award,” said Ann Bair, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Nationwide. “We’re proud to showcase these players and help amplify the causes they champion, celebrating the meaningful impact they’re making far beyond the field.”

First established in 1970, the national award was renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton. Since then, 58 legends and players have received this esteemed award, including five current players: Arik Armstead of the Jacksonville Jaguars – who was last year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year – Cam Heyward of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys, Russell Wilson of the New York Giants, and Calais Campbell of the Arizona Cardinals. Each of these players wears a Man of the Year patch on their jerseys throughout the season to recognize the outstanding contributions they have made to the game and their communities.

Beginning Week 14 and continuing through the end of the season, each of this year's club winners will also wear a special Man of the Year helmet decal in recognition of their accomplishments on and off the field. Select stadiums will also display goal post wraps adorned with the NFL Man of the Year trophy silhouette.

New this season, Homage will produce a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year-inspired “Gladiator” product. The product is inspired by the Man of the Year trophy and celebrates this year’s club winners. Each of the 32 club winners will receive this unique product. Fans can share how they’ve uplifted their communities and enter for a chance to win a Gladiator t-shirt at NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. Fans can also purchase a Gladiator t-shirt directly at Homage.com.

For the first time, fans now have the opportunity to purchase Arik Armstead’s jersey with the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Gladiator patch. A limited quantity of the jersey is now available for sale at NFLShop.com, Fanatics.com, and the Jaguars online store.

The NFL does not profit from the sale of Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year products, and proceeds from the products are awarded by the NFL Foundation to player-supported nonprofit partners.

To learn more about the stories of all 32 players and for more information about the award, please visit NFL.com/ManOfTheYear.

Contest Highlights:

• Fans have the option to vote online or via X.
  • Vote directly at NFL.com/manoftheyear.
  • Post #WPMOYChallenge on X along with player’s full name or X handle.
• All votes count twice during Double Vote Days on Tuesday, December 16 and Friday, January 2.
• Nationwide will donate $35,000, $10,000, and $5,000 to the nonprofit organizations designated by the first, second, and third-place finishers, respectively.

“Charity Challenge continues to be a fun, friendly competition for additional donations but it also serves to raise awareness for the important causes that inspire these players to drive meaningful change in their communities,” said Jim McCoy, vice president of Sports Marketing for Nationwide.

In last year’s contest, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce became the first two-time winner of Charity Challenge after racking up more than two million votes. Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins finished second while Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans placed third. 

Hashtag information, official rules and the Charity Challenge scoreboard can be found at NFL.com/manoftheyear. The winners will be announced on Wednesday, January 7.

The 2025 NFL season marks the 12^th year of Nationwide’s sponsorship of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. Since 2014, Nationwide has contributed more than $2.3 million to the charitable foundations represented by the various nominees and winners.

The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide will be announced during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally on Thursday, February 5.

The centerpiece of the renewed agreement is Nationwide’s continued role as presenting sponsor of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, an honor that recognizes NFL players for outstanding community service and excellence on the field. This year’s 32 club winners will be announced by the NFL on Thursday, December 4.

Since aligning with the league in 2014, Nationwide has worked with the NFL to elevate the platform that honors the legacy of Walter Payton and amplifies the charitable efforts of NFL players whose work is inspired by Walter’s enduring example.

“Nationwide’s partnership with the NFL enables us to elevate our brand and drive business growth by promoting our insurance and financial services products with the league’s hyper- engaged and passionate fan base,” said Ann Bair, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Nationwide. “We’re also looking forward to continuing our presenting sponsorship of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award and shining a spotlight on the impact the players are making off the field. This endeavor aligns with Nationwide’s deep commitment to giving back to the communities where we live and work.”

Over the course of the partnership, Nationwide has contributed more than $2.3 million to charities supported by nominees and winners. Initiatives like the Charity Challenge and other campaigns have expanded fundraising opportunities and awareness for these causes, but sharing the personal stories of the nominees also remains a priority.

A new, annual component of the partnership that will begin during the 2026 season is presenting sponsorship of a one-hour broadcast special that will highlight Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees and how they are uniquely impacting their communities. 

“We’re thrilled to further our relationship with Nationwide - a storied, impactful partner of the NFL for more than a decade,” said Senior Vice President Global Sponsorship at the NFL Tracie Rodburg. “Together, we drive a significant tradition that celebrates our players making an inspiring difference across their communities, and we look forward to continuing this with Nationwide in the seasons ahead.”

The 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year national winner will be announced during the NFL Honors broadcast, airing nationally on Thursday, February 5 ahead of Super Bowl LX. Nominees will also participate in special Super Bowl week events, including local community event in the San Francisco Bay Area, attendance at NFL Honors, and on-field recognition during the championship game.

A moment to recognize the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year is also integrated into the NFL Draft. 

In addition to the partnership at the league level, Nationwide also currently has partnerships with 16 NFL clubs. 

About the National Football League

The National Football League is America's most popular sports league, comprised of 32 franchises that compete each year to win the Super Bowl, the world's biggest annual sporting event. Founded in 1920, the NFL developed the model for the successful modern sports league, including national and international distribution, extensive revenue sharing, competitive excellence, and strong franchises across the country.

To celebrate the award, Hiatt has selected her designated Portland-area community partner, Candlelighters Oregon, to receive a $50,000 donation from Nationwide to further the organization’s ongoing work providing critical support services to families facing childhood cancer.

“Sam Hiatt exemplifies the spirit of the Lauren Holiday Impact Award through her heartfelt dedication to families - like hers - that have been affected by pediatric cancer,” said Ann Bair, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Nationwide. “Sam’s work with Candlelighters Oregon and her broader community engagement are powerful reminders of how athletes can use their platforms to create positive change. Nationwide is proud to support and celebrate Sam’s ongoing efforts to be a champion in her community.”

Since joining the Thorns, Hiatt has been deeply involved in community outreach efforts focused on youth empowerment, access to sport, and mental wellness. She has partnered with local organizations to expand opportunities for young athletes, promote healthy and active lifestyles, and foster inclusive spaces that support personal growth and connection.

For nearly five decades, Candlelighters For Children With Cancer has been on a mission that began in 1977 when five families connected in hospital hallways while their children underwent treatment. What started as a small circle of support has since grown into a vital network for families navigating pediatric cancer across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Today, Candlelighters delivers both essential resources and a strong sense of community. The organization offers financial assistance, in-hospital programs, and safe, welcoming spaces for parents, siblings and youth. Its services also include bereavement support, culturally responsive programming for Latine families, tailored parent and teen groups, and scholarships for young survivors. All programs are provided free of charge, ensuring families can focus on what matters most: being together. Learn more at www.candlelightersoregon.org.

Established in 2024, the Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, celebrates players whose leadership embodies the values championed by Lauren Holiday - a two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, two-time NWSL Champion, National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian ESPY Award. Holiday’s example continues to inspire athletes across the league. This individual honor was preceded by an earlier, team-focused community platform known as the Nationwide Community Impact Award.

As part of the season-long initiative, each NWSL club nominated one player for the Lauren Holiday Impact Award and coordinated a service project with their nominee and a local nonprofit. Each organization received a $5,000 donation from the league and Nationwide to support their efforts.

Since becoming an official league partner in 2021, Nationwide has donated more than $470,000 to nonprofit organizations designated by clubs and player nominees through the Nationwide Community Impact Award (2021-2023) and the Lauren Holiday Impact Award (2024-present).

Since its launch in 2007, with Nationwide as a founding partner, the tournament has raised nearly $30 million for Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. That commitment was front and center at the 19th annual championship held at The Ohio State University Golf Club’s Scarlet Course where John VanDerLaan claimed his first Korn Ferry Tour title. 

“While this tournament serves as a career springboard for many professional golfers, it’s also an important platform to highlight our philanthropic efforts,” said Jim McCoy, vice president of sports marketing for Nationwide and president of Champions of the Community, the tournament’s host organization. “Being part of the Korn Ferry Tour Finals and playing on one of the nation’s top collegiate courses gives us the visibility to support Nationwide Children’s Hospital in a meaningful way.” 

One of the many ways the tournament personalizes its mission is through Pros Fore Patients, an event that provides a unique opportunity for Nationwide Children’s Hospital Patient Champions and their families to interact with Korn Ferry Tour professionals. That afternoon, Patient Champions joined players for some golf instruction on the putting green and driving range. The groups also paid it forward by assembling care packages to be delivered to current patients at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. 

In addition to participating in Pros Fore Patients and closing the tournament with the Last Putt to Cure Cancer, Patient Champion Natalie Gray was presented with a $10,000 donation to the nonprofit organization that bears her name. Founded in 2022, The Natalie Gray Foundation supports the CONNECT Consortium, an organization focused on developing and testing treatments for children with brain tumors.    

The donation on behalf of the tournament was the second surprise of the week for Natalie, who also received a $10,000 college scholarship from Nationwide after taking the ceremonial First Shot to Fight Cancer to kick off tournament competition.  

Though based in Columbus, the impact of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship reaches far beyond. The hospital sees more than 1.8 million patient visits annually, serving children and families who travel from across the nation and around the world to access life-saving treatments. To learn more about one of the nation’s largest pediatric healthcare systems, visit NationwideChildrens.org. 

When eighteen-year-old Natalie Gray lined up to take the ceremonial First Shot to Fight Cancer to open the 2025 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship at The Ohio State University Golf Club’s Scarlet Course, her swing symbolized the courage and resiliency of all kids affected by cancer. 

Nationwide, a founding partner of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship professional golf tournament, honored Natalie’s journey by surprising her with a $10,000 college scholarship before the opening round of play at the official Korn Ferry Tour Finals event.

After taking the First Shot, Natalie reflected, “I was so shocked. It was a total surprise. This money will definitely help me reach all my goals and dreams of becoming a nurse. It means the absolute world to me.”

Natalie’s story

In 2021, thirteen-year-old Natalie’s life took a dramatic turn. Once an active teen, she began suffering from stress fractures, headaches, and neck pain. Initially, she attributed it to her busy lifestyle, but the symptoms worsened. Her condition became so severe that her family rushed her to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where an MRI revealed an inoperable, cancerous brain tumor. She was admitted immediately, underwent two major brain surgeries, and had a permanent shunt placed.

Since then, Natalie has faced chemotherapy, physical challenges, and emotional hurdles. Yet she remains determined to turn her experience into purpose. Learning that pediatric brain tumors are among the least-funded areas of cancer research, she founded The Natalie Gray Foundation to help change that and has since raised nearly $400,000 for pediatric brain cancer research. Her dream is to one day become a pediatric nurse and work at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the very place where her journey began.

“Natalie’s courage and determination are what bring the charitable mission of this tournament to life,” said Jim McCoy, vice president of sports marketing for Nationwide and president of Champions of the Community. “By awarding this scholarship, Nationwide is honored to recognize what Natalie has overcome and support her future aspiration to become a nurse, a path inspired by the incredible care she received at Nationwide Children’s.”

“Nationwide’s continued generosity makes a lasting impact on the lives of our patients and their families,” said Steve Testa, president, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Natalie’s story is a powerful reminder of the resilience we see every day, and it’s great to know this gift will help her achieve her dream to give others the same compassionate care she received as a patient.”

Tournament proceeds benefit pediatric cancer research and treatment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Since the event’s inception in 2007, nearly $30 million has been raised for the hospital.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital remains the cornerstone beneficiary of Nationwide. Through Nationwide’s sponsorships of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday and the tournament’s Legends Luncheon, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon, the Columbus Crew, and a partnership with The Dale Jr. Foundation, Nationwide sports marketing platforms have helped raise nearly $70 million for the hospital since 2011.

For more information about Nationwide Children’s Hospital or to make a donation, visit NationwideChildrens.org.

In the new spot, Manning plays a motivational speaker who, after recognizing Nationwide’s capacity to be both a great insurance AND a great financial services company, has made it his mission to spread the message that within each of us lies the potential to be so much more. 

“Peyton Manning’s unique style and comic delivery are on full display in this latest ad,” said Ann Bair, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide. “More importantly, Motivatin’ Manning continues to highlight with consumers that Nationwide is not only a leading insurance company, but we also are one of America’s largest financial services companies as well.” 

“As Motivatin’ Manning, I traded a helmet for a headset mic and had a chance to play someone that finds inspiration in Nationwide’s ability to be both a great insurance company and a great financial services company,” said Manning. “It’s a fun continuation of the series of characters that Nationwide has created, and a good reminder that people can be so much more.” 

Motivatin’ Manning debuts Thursday, September 4 on NBC during the 2025 NFL season-opening matchup between the reigning Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. Fans can expect to see more spots with Motivatin’ Manning, and other spots that feature his Nationwide teammate, NFL All-Pro running back and 2024 AP Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley, throughout the season.    

The Motivatin’ Manning persona follows previous portrayals as Paintin’ Manning, Debatin’ Manning, and Calculatin’ Manning.  

To view a complete playlist of Nationwide’s So Much More ads featuring Manning and Barkley, visit Nationwide’s YouTube channel. 

Nationwide has been an official sponsor of the National Football League since 2014. The partnership designates the insurance and financial services company as an official auto, home, life, business, agribusiness, pet insurance and retirement planning sponsor of the NFL. The partnership is also highlighted by presenting sponsorship of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. 

New York - The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced today the schedule of Appreciation Matches and related activities that celebrate the 14 club nominees for the 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide.

The philanthropic work of the nominees and the respective partnerships with their chosen charities will be highlighted during the matches below. New for this year’s Appreciation Matches, each nominee will wear a commemorative armband bearing the silhouette of award namesake, Lauren Holiday.

Each of the designated community partners will receive a $5,000 donation, courtesy of Nationwide.

During Championship week in November, one of this year’s nominees will be announced as the 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award winner. At that time, Nationwide will make a $50,000 donation to the charitable organization of the winner’s choice.

Fan Impact Challenge & Sweepstakes
Fans are invited to show support for their favorite nominee through the Fan Impact Challenge. The competition will be hosted on nwslsoccer.com from August 15-30. The nominee with the most fan engagement will be announced as winner of the Fan Impact Challenge and the charitable organization of that player’s choice will receive an additional $10,000 donation from Nationwide.    

A new enhancement to the Fan Impact Challenge is a sweepstakes where one randomly selected fan, among those who voted for the winning nominee, will receive a jersey from the team of their choosing.

For more information about the Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, visit nwslsoccer.com-impact.

About NWSL
The National Women’s Soccer League is the premier women’s professional soccer league in the world featuring national team players from around the globe. The clubs are Angel City FC, Bay FC, Boston Legacy FC, Chicago Stars FC, Denver FC, Houston Dash, Kansas City Current, Gotham FC, North Carolina Courage, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns FC, Racing Louisville FC, San Diego Wave FC, Seattle Reign FC, Utah Royals FC, and Washington Spirit.

• Angel City FC - Katie Zelem (City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks; GPLA Leadership Academy Program)
• Bay FC - Racheal Kundananji (Soccer without Borders)
• Chicago Stars FC - Bea Franklin (Digs with Dignity)
• Gotham FC - Ryan Campbell (Katie’s Save)
• Houston Dash - Abby Smith (Kids’ Meals Houston)
• Kansas City Current - Claire Hutton (MINDDRIVE)
• North Carolina Courage - Hannah Betfort (WakeEd)
• Orlando Pride - Haley McCutcheon (Foundation for Foster Children)
• Portland Thorns FC  -  Sam Hiatt (Candlelighters Oregon)
• Racing Louisville FC - Lauren Milliet (Trees Louisville)
• San Diego Wave FC - Kyra Carusa (The Athlete Academy Foundation)
• Seattle Reign FC - Cassie Miller (Nick of Time Foundation)
• Utah Royals FC - Kate Del Fava (Primary Children's Hospital)
• Washington Spirit - Ashley Hatch (DC Scores)

Of the 14 Club nominees, one will be announced as the winner during Championship weekend. At that time, Nationwide will make a $50,000 donation to the charitable organization of the winner’s choice.

The Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, was introduced in 2024 to honor the two-time NWSL champion and Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian ESPY Award Lauren Holiday. It spotlights players who exemplify dedication and commitment to giving back in service of their local communities. Holiday retired from the NWSL in 2015 following a career during which she won back-to-back championships, was named the 2013 NWSL MVP and awarded the Golden Boot, and was named the 2014 NWSL Championship MVP.

"This year's award nominees continue to set new standards for what it means to use their platform as athletes to give back,” said Lauren Holiday. “It is a privilege to highlight this incredible group of women who are committed to both their NWSL clubs and working to improve the communities that these clubs call home.”

“Since partnering with the National Women’s Soccer League to co-create this award, Nationwide has been honored to champion and drive this purposeful philanthropic platform forward,” said Ann Bair, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Nationwide. “We are proud to support and spotlight the meaningful work all of the nominees are doing, and we look forward to celebrating our 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award winner later this year.”

“Sports has the power to unite communities, and the NWSL is proud to be the home of athletes whose dedication to giving back exemplifies how professional sports can bring people together around shared causes,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “This year’s Lauren Holiday Impact Award Nominees represent the best that our league has to offer when it comes to on-field talent and off-field activism.”

 For more information on the Lauren Holiday Impact Award program, click here.

About NWSL
The National Women’s Soccer League is the premier women’s professional soccer league in the world featuring national team players from around the globe. The clubs are Angel City FC, Bay FC, Boston Legacy FC, Chicago Stars, Denver FC, Houston Dash, Kansas City Current, NJ/NY Gotham FC, North Carolina Courage, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns FC, Racing Louisville FC, San Diego Wave FC, Seattle Reign FC, Utah Royals FC, and Washington Spirit.

At the invitation of longtime NFL sponsor Nationwide, Hoekstra was offered the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to announce an official team pick live on stage at the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay. When a league official informed him that the sixth-round pick belonged to the Bears, Hoekstra braced himself for the inevitable reception.

Amid roaring boos in the shadow of legendary Lambeau Field, Hoekstra acknowledged his lifelong allegiance to the Packers, thanked NFL fans for coming to his hometown for the Draft, and gave a “Go Pack, go!” before turning to the business at hand.

“For the 195^th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears select Luke Newman - guard, Michigan State,” Hoekstra declared. “Welcome to the NFL. We’ll see you at Lambeau.”

Hoekstra described the surreal moment as “overwhelming” and said he felt “lucky to be picked.”

“Thanks to Nationwide’s longstanding partnership with the NFL, we’re fortunate to have access to truly unique experiences that we are able to share with our valued distribution partners,” said Jim McCoy, associate vice president of sports marketing for Nationwide. “We’re glad to hear that Bob had an unforgettable time.”         

Nationwide and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company © 2025 Nationwide

 

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Barkley is featured alongside longtime Nationwide spokesperson and former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning in the company’s latest commercial, which will debut during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.   In the new spot, Peyton explains to viewers that just like Nationwide is so much more than just a great insurance company, Saquon is so much more than an All-Pro running back. He’s also a player who helps his teammates stay focused during pressure situations.  

“It’s every running back’s dream to be on a great team with a great quarterback. I get both as part of my new partnership with Nationwide,” said Barkley. “To be able to work alongside Peyton Manning and Nationwide, a brand that truly cares about their customers and the community, is an honor!”  

“Saquon Barkley is one of the most well-known, well-liked and accomplished players in the NFL today,” said Ann Bair, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide. “As dynamic as he is on the field, he brings that same energy to positively impact his community. Saquon is a two-time nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, presented by Nationwide, and is a strong fit with our brand and core values. We’re thrilled to have him paired with Peyton in our latest ad campaign.” 

Nationwide’s “So Much More” advertising campaign showcases to customers that Nationwide is so much more than a great insurance company. It is one of America’s largest financial services companies, too.  Previous commercials include “Paintin’ Manning” and “Debatin’ Manning.” 

A blood culture indicated that Emersen had a bacterial infection known as methicillin-susceptible staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), which affected her heart. The MSSA caused inflammation of her heart valves and chambers, known as bacterial endocarditis. Emersen needed open-heart surgery to repair a damaged mitral valve. 

“We thought that our lives were moving forward after the surgery,” remembers Emersen’s dad, Craig, “until a routine blood test came back abnormal, requiring us to return to the hospital.”

Doctors discovered that MSSA had continued to damage Emersen’s heart, and she would need another open-heart surgery just two weeks after the first. Two weeks following the second surgery, Emersen received an additional diagnosis of a rare aneurysm in her heart requiring a third and final open-heart surgery.

After spending the next six months at Nationwide Children’s, fighting additional complications like organizing pneumonia and blood clots, including one that caused a stroke, Emersen finally began to recover. Now more than four years later, the 18-year-old is healthy and planning for her future. She will be attending The Ohio State University in the fall and plans to study psychology on a pre-med track.

Emersen’s brave spirit and perseverance were celebrated at the 15^th annual Legends Luncheon presented by Nationwide, where Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, along with son Jack II and daughter Nan O’Leary, announced Emersen as the 2025 Nicklaus Youth Spirit Award recipient. The award honors a patient champion who has shown strength and positivity in the face of adversity. The recognition is a highlight of the Legends Luncheon, an annual event hosted by the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, that puts a spotlight on the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation and Nationwide Children’s Hospital alliance.

Upon receiving this year’s Nicklaus Youth Spirit Award, Emersen said, “My time in the hospital left me with a deep sense of gratitude and a desire to give back. I will be forever thankful for the doctors and nurses at Nationwide Children’s Hospital who saved my life several times during my stay and who continue to provide treatments necessary to help me live as normal of a life as possible. I want nothing more than to do the same for others one day.”

“Emersen’s incredible strength and unwavering determination truly exemplify the Nicklaus Youth Spirit Award,” said Ann Bair, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide. “As a company that prides itself on its caring culture and being ‘more than a business,’ Nationwide is honored to celebrate Emersen's journey and continue supporting Nationwide Children's vital work in serving families in need."

The 2025 Legends Luncheon raised $1.45 million, bringing the 15-year total to more than $16 million. All proceeds from the event directly benefit the young patients and families that Nationwide Children’s Hospital compassionately serves each day.

Learn how you can support the work at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

“Under Ramon’s leadership, Nationwide’s iconic brand has flourished, gaining increased recognition among intermediaries and consumers,” said Nationwide Chief Executive Officer Kirt Walker. “As he retires to spend more time with family, we are pleased to announce that Ann Bair, a 19-year Nationwider, will take on this important role for our brand.”

As CMO, Bair will serve on Nationwide’s leadership team reporting to Walker. She will be responsible for managing Nationwide’s brand. This includes marketing strategy, advertising, creative services, social media, corporate communications and events in support of Nationwide’s vision to be the most trusted, most caring, most customer-focused protection company.

Bair has held numerous leadership roles for Nationwide including senior vice president, Nationwide Financial Marketing and senior vice president, chief digital officer. She served in several vice president roles overseeing marketing for life insurance, regional property and casualty insurance and retirement plans.

Bair is a magna cum laude graduate of DePauw University. Within the community, she serves on the Board of Trustees for the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and is vice president on the State of Ohio History Connection Board of Trustees.

“Ann’s wealth of experience leading marketing, sales and business functions makes her the right leader at the right time for Nationwide,” said Walker. “I am confident that she is well positioned to accelerate our success as a modern mutual.”

About Nationwide
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified financial services and insurance organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by Standard & Poor’s. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; and pet, motorcycle and boat insurance.

For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

Subscribe today to receive the latest news from Nationwide and follow Nationwide PR on X.

Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2025

The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, presented by Nationwide, was established in 1970 and renamed in Payton’s honor in 1999. It recognizes an NFL player who excels both on the field and in service to his community. Armstead joins Brees and only 57 others in this exclusive fraternity. He becomes the second Jaguars player to receive the award, following Calais Campbell who won while with Jacksonville in 2019.   

Driven by a desire to address educational inequities, Arik and his wife, Mindy, established The Armstead Academic Project (AAP) in 2019. AAP is dedicated to ensuring that every student, no matter their socioeconomic status, has direct access to the resources they need to thrive. Since its inception, Armstead has helped raise and personally donated more than $2 million to Jacksonville, Sacramento and Bay Area youth. Armstead was also a vocal advocate of the Literacy Bill, helping to pass statewide legislation in California mandating additional educational support for students who under-perform on statewide tests. 

Armstead’s philanthropic work also extends to advocacy for financial literacy and food security. Earlier this season, Armstead worked with Duval County Public Schools in Jacksonville to emphasize the importance of financial literacy at a young age so that children can set themselves up for future success. He also works with Blessing in a Backpack, a local nonprofit that provides food on weekends and holidays for school-aged children experiencing food insecurity. 

In recognition of his outstanding community contributions, Armstead will receive a donation of $265,000 to his chosen charity. Each of the other 31 nominees representing their respective NFL clubs will also receive a donation of up to $55,000 for their chosen charities. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation and the Nationwide Foundation. 

“Nationwide is honored to join the NFL community in congratulating Arik Armstead on being named the 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year,” said Ramon Jones, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide. “As a business that is committed to serving and strengthening our communities, we’re proud to support Arik’s extraordinary efforts that have empowered and uplifted countless children and families.”  

Since becoming the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presenting sponsor in 2014, Nationwide’s dedication to this platform has elevated one of the NFL’s most revered awards to a new level. As part of this commitment, Nationwide and the Nationwide Foundation have also donated more than $3.3 million to the charitable organizations represented by the nominees.  

To learn more about Arik Armstead and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, visit www.nfl.com/manoftheyear.  

This year’s cohort included Jordyn Bloomer, Ryanne Brown, Hanna Glas, Mya Jones, Abby Smith and Michele Vasconcelos.   

“During their two weeks at Nationwide, these players experienced our company culture, learned about our businesses and met with some of our community partners,” said Ramon Jones, Nationwide’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “Our hope is that each player walks away from this program with new skills and experiences that will serve them now and in the future.”  

The group learned from leaders and associates representing a variety business units including Marketing, Technology, Corporate Citizenship, Nationwide Financial, Culture & Talent Acquisition, and other departments across the enterprise. The players also took part in specialized training sessions, volunteered in the community, visited with a few of Nationwide’s local sports team partners, and collaborated on a capstone presentation to senior leadership.  

Nationwide became the exclusive insurance partner of the NWSL in spring of 2021 and announced a multiyear extension of the relationship in November 2023. The centerpiece of the partnership is presenting sponsorship of the Lauren Holiday Impact Award, an honor that recognizes an NWSL player for outstanding service and character off the pitch.  

Kelce’s first-place finish gives the Chiefs their fifth Charity Challenge crown and makes Kelce the first two-time winner in the program’s ten-year history. Previous Chiefs to win include Patrick Mahomes (2022-23), Tyrann Mathieu (2021-22) and Eric Berry (2015-16).   

Established by Kelce in 2015, 87 & Running exists to empower underserved youth to achieve success by providing resources and support to their communities and cultivating their talent in the areas of education, business, athletics, STEM, and the arts.

The foundation’s most recent initiative is the Operation Breakthrough Ignition Lab powered by 87 & Running, a transformative launchpad for teens ages 14-18 who reside in under-resourced neighborhoods in Kansas City. The lab provides a safe environment, cutting-edge equipment, essential resources, and committed mentors to help participants unleash their entrepreneurial and STEM potential. 

“Congratulations to Travis on becoming the first two-time winner of Nationwide’s Charity Challenge,” said Jim McCoy, Associate Vice President of Sports Marketing for Nationwide. “Thanks to all who voted for their favorite nominees and drawing well deserved attention to the impact all of these players are making in communities everywhere.”

Nationwide created Charity Challenge to further elevate and showcase the work that each of the 32 nominees are doing to improve the lives of others. The contest, which ran online and via X/Twitter from Dec. 5, 2024 to Jan. 6, 2025, gives NFL fans the opportunity to support their favorite nominees and gives players a chance to earn donations from Nationwide to benefit their chosen charity.

Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins finished second while Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans placed third. The charitable beneficiaries of Dawkins and Evans will each receive a donation of $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.

Since becoming presenting sponsor of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2014, Nationwide and the Nationwide Foundation have contributed more than $3.3 million to the charitable foundations represented by the various nominees.

The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide will be announced during the NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally on FOX and the NFL Network on Thursday, February 6.

To learn more about the stories of all 32 nominees and for more information about the award, visit NFL.com/manoftheyear.

That theme of purpose-driven service and community contribution was celebrated as Lauren and nominees of the 2024 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, gathered in Kansas City for a host of activities around NWSL Championship weekend.

The events began with the announcement of Bay FC defender Jen Beattie as winner of the recently revamped award. Beattie designated her Bay Area community partner, Pink Ribbon Good, as the beneficiary of the $30,000 award donation to support its mission to assist every person and family affected by breast and gynecological cancers.

A breast cancer survivor herself, Beattie was diagnosed at age 29 while playing soccer in the UK, far from family and friends. Following a six-week leave from the game for surgery, she entered remission. During this time, Beattie recognized a gap in awareness and education around breast cancer, which motivated her to use her platform as a professional athlete to promote early detection in both women and men.

Beattie continues to be an advocate, working with organizations to raise awareness, share her story, and support individuals facing similar challenges. Her dedication to this cause has helped bring visibility to the importance of health education, regular screenings, and support networks for those impacted by breast cancer.

When asked about being recognized for her efforts off the pitch, Beattie commented, “We’re footballers, but we do so much more than that. And that’s the impact that we can all have. Whether your platform is big or small, you can still help people.”  

Beattie, Holiday and several other award nominees also took time during Championship week to participate in an NWSL community event with Kansas City Current nominee AD Franch’s local partner, WeCode KC. 

The group learned about WeCode’s mission to provide youth in Kansas City’s urban core the opportunity to learn technology concepts and leadership skills, creating a pipeline of future-ready professionals through project-based learning and innovative programs. During the visit, the students engaged with the NWSL guests and demonstrated their coding, robotics and app creation prowess. 

The weekend was capped off with an on-field, halftime recognition of Jen, Lauren and other the nominees during the Championship match in which the Orlando Pride defeated the Washington Spirit to capture the club’s first title.

To learn more about the Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, visit NWSLsoccer.com.

Fast Company has named Nationwide as one of its “Brands that Matter.” The magazine presents the honor to companies that stand out for their ability to resonate with their customers and transcend mere social engagement to establish genuine bonds with them.  

Nationwide earned Fast Company’s Heritage Brands award, which recognizes “iconic legacy brands that captivate consumers by celebrating tradition while embracing innovation and have an established authenticity, often over generations.”  

“It is an honor to be named among Fast Company’s 2024 Brands that Matter honorees,” Ramon Jones, Nationwide, Chief Marketing Officer. “This recognition speaks to the strength of the Nationwide brand and its ability to resonate with people, businesses and communities in an authentic way.”  

Using music to connect 
For more than a decade, Nationwide’s marketing team has been using music-based campaigns to keep the nearly 100-year-old brand relevant and relatable to customers of all generations. Partnering with musicians like Leslie Odom, Jr., Rachel Platten, Jana Kramer, Brad Paisley, H.E.R., and Jill Scott connects Nationwide with a wide range of Americans from all walks of life.  

“Our jingle is perhaps our most valuable marketing asset,” says Jones. “It’s iconic, well-liked and well-known. Partnering with musicians from different genres has enabled us to continue to reach a younger demographic that normally wouldn’t connect emotionally with an insurance and financial services company.”  

Jingle contest goes viral 
In September 2023, a video featuring a remarkably talented 5-year-old singing the Nationwide jingle went viral on TikTok. Zaya Campbell’s unique and adorable rendition had been recorded years earlier, but the TikTok algorithm suddenly propelled it into the spotlight, inspiring users to lip-sync along. The brand saw the virality of the video as an opportunity for social good.  

The insurance and financial services company worked with Zaya on a real time response video of her own, with a subtle, almost “meta” nod to the time that’s passed since the recording of the original video. Through this creative lens, Nationwide launched the Nationwide Jingle Challenge, a contest for high school music groups. Nationwide invited high schoolers to sing their own versions of the jingle for a chance to win funding for their school music program.  

Dozens of high school choirs submitted videos, with five receiving a $5,000 contribution from Nationwide.  

Making a greater impact 
The Jingle Challenge is just one of many programs designed to positively impact the lives of others.  

“At the heart of Nationwide’s mission and vision is understanding the needs of our customers, the risks they face, and helping them manage those risks,” says Jones. “We exist to protect people, businesses, and futures with extraordinary care like no other brand can. And as we head toward our centennial in 2026, we’ll continue to adapt and innovate to keep this promise.” 

These collective actions create a strong, giving culture, as evidenced by Nationwide associates who made $7.3 million in contributions to nonprofit organizations and logged more than 70,000 hours of volunteer time in 2023.  

The original Zaya content generated more than 500 million video views. Videos using #NationwideChallengeContent received 6.5 million views with contest entry videos being viewed more than 5.6 million times. 

For more information about Fast Company’s “Brands that Matter” award, visit https://www.fastcompany.com/91235969/heritage-brands-that-matter-2024.  

More information about Nationwide’s philanthropic endeavors can be found at https://www.nationwide.com/personal/about-us/giving/.  

During a gathering to celebrate that community impact, tournament officials announced that the 2024 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship raised a record-setting $3.6 million, eclipsing last year’s previous record of $3.3 million. The total marks the largest single-season charitable donation raised for the hospital in the history of the Korn Ferry Tour Finals event and the fourth straight year of exceeding $3 million. Since its inception in 2007, the tournament has raised nearly $30 million to support pediatric cancer treatment and research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. 

“The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship continues to reach impressive fundraising heights each year, truly setting the bar as a best-in-class Korn Ferry Tour Finals event,” said John Carter, president and chief operating officer for Nationwide Financial and chairman of Champions of the Community, the host organization for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship. “We’re incredibly grateful for the steadfast support of our business partners, the commitment of our tournament staff and volunteers, and the willingness of our Patient Champions to share their stories.” 

“The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship has helped provide hope to children with cancer and their loved ones for 18 years, with nearly $30 million donated to support innovative research and care,” said Tim Robinson, chief executive officer of Nationwide Children’s. “We are grateful for the dedication of the tournament’s sponsors, volunteers and supporters for helping make our work possible.” 

Since 2011, Nationwide’s sports marketing partnerships have contributed more than $68 million to Nationwide Children’s. Beyond the golf-related fundraising from Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship and the Memorial Tournament’s Legends Luncheon, additional support comes from partnerships with the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon, the Columbus Crew and Dale Earnhardt Jr.  

For more information about Nationwide Children’s Hospital, visit nationwidechildrens.org.  

Now through January 6, 2025, fans may vote on X/Twitter by posting #WPMOYChallenge along with their favorite nominee’s name or X handle, or by voting directly on NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. Additionally, all online votes and eligible social posts will count twice during the “double vote” window on January 2 and 3.

The player with the most collective hashtag mentions and online votes will win $35,000 for his designated charity while second and third place finishers will receive $10,000 and $5,000 donations, respectively, all courtesy of Nationwide.

“Nationwide created the Charity Challenge to rally fans around their favorite Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees and give players a chance to earn additional donations for their chosen charities,” said Ramon Jones, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide. “Last year, fans participated in record numbers with 7.4 million votes tallied. We can’t wait to see how fans show up in support of the 2024 nominees.”

The winners will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Hashtag information, official rules and the Charity Challenge scoreboard can be found at NFL.com/manoftheyear.

Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras won last year’s Charity Challenge. Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson finished second and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes finished third.

The 2024 NFL season marks the 11^th year of Nationwide’s sponsorship of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. Since 2014, Nationwide and the Nationwide Foundation have contributed more than $3.3 million to the charitable foundations represented by the various nominees.

The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide will be announced during the NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally on FOX and the NFL Network on Thursday, February 6.

To learn more about the stories of all 32 nominees and for more information about the award, visit NFL.com/manoftheyear.

In his new Nationwide commercial, the two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback is Debatin’ Manning and goes toe-to-toe on the debate stage with a very formidable opponent.

Debatin’ Manning is the latest ad in Nationwide’s “So Much More” advertising campaign, showcasing to customers that Nationwide is so much more than a great auto and home insurance company. It is one of America’s largest financial services companies, too.  

Manning explains, “The commercials are always fun, but they’re so much more – they’re also a way to help people understand what ‘On Your Side’ really means. The Nationwide team is there for their customers to help them with their financial and insurance needs. I know how important it is to have teammates that you can count on to have your back, and Nationwide sharing that mentality is important to me.”  

Fans excited to see Debatin' Manning will get their chance on Thanksgiving Day, as Nationwide will launch the ad during the NBC broadcast of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and in NFL games throughout the day.  

To view this and other Nationwide ads, visit Nationwide’s YouTube channel. 

To celebrate the award, Beattie has designated that her Bay Area community partner, Pink Ribbon Good, will receive $30,000 to support its mission and ongoing initiatives.

“Nationwide is thrilled to congratulate Jen Beattie for winning the 2024 Lauren Holiday Impact Award,” said Ramon Jones, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Nationwide. “As a company that is deeply committed to giving back to the communities where we live and work, we’re honored to recognize and celebrate Jen’s outstanding advocacy of women whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer."

As part of the season-long program, a player from each team was nominated for the Lauren Holiday Impact Award. Additionally, teams coordinated a service project with their nominee and a local community organization, which received a $5,000 donation from the league and Nationwide.

Beattie also won the fan vote that took place throughout the month of October, enabling her to donate $5,000 to Cancer Research UK and designate an additional $5,000 for Pink Ribbon Good.

Pink Ribbon Good assists every person and family affected by breast and gynecological cancer by providing free healthy meals, rides to treatment, housecleaning essentials and peer support. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization serves cancer fighters in six regions across the U.S. and provides peer support and education to those battling around the country. To learn more about Pink Ribbon Good or to donate to their cause, visit https://www.pinkribbongood.org/.

A breast cancer survivor, Beattie was diagnosed at age 29 while playing soccer in the UK, far from family and friends. Following a six-week leave from the game for surgery, she entered remission. During this time, Beattie recognized a gap in awareness and education around breast cancer, which motivated her to use her platform as a professional athlete to promote early detection in both women and men.

Beattie continues to be an advocate, working with organizations to raise awareness, share her story, and support individuals facing similar challenges. Her dedication to this cause has helped bring visibility to the importance of health education, regular screenings, and support networks for those impacted by breast cancer.

“My work with breast cancer charities means so much to me and it has since 2020 when I started doing it after my own cancer diagnosis,” said Beattie. "To have a legend like Lauren Holiday at the forefront: understanding the impact she has had in the community beyond football is why it matters the most to me. I love football – it's my job and my passion – but I think it’s important to use the platform we have whether it’s big or small, to raise as much awareness as possible and ultimately create a community to help people.”

Beattie is the fourth recipient of the program award and the first to receive the honor under its new name, which honors the ongoing example of excellence and commitment set by Lauren Holiday, two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, two-time NWSL Champion, National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian ESPY Award.

Since its inception in 2007 through last year’s event, the tournament has raised more than $25.6 million to support pediatric cancer treatment and research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. The research and innovation that originates at Nationwide Children’s are shared with pediatric hospitals across the country and around the world to help children everywhere.

“This best-in-class tournament has consistently highlighted some of golf’s emerging talents, but its core mission is to support children,” said John Carter, president and chief operating officer of Nationwide Financial and chairman of Champions of the Community, the tournament’s host organization. “Raising funds to accelerate groundbreaking medical advancements at Nationwide Children’s is a vital part of the event, but we’re also honored to involve Patient Champions in various activities throughout the week.”

The annual Pros Fore Patients paired Patient Champions with Tour professionals for on-course golf instruction, games, and assembly of care packages for current patients at Nationwide Children’s. Several Patient Champions also participated as Honorary Observers on Sunday, walking with the final professional pairings of the tournament and waving to fans as they were recognized by the 18-hole announcer.

Earlier in the week, “Final Putt to Cure Cancer” honoree Cecelia Jalloh also took the “First Shot to Fight Cancer” to officially open the first round of play. Cecelia was awarded a $10,000 college scholarship by Nationwide following her ceremonial tee shot.

For more information about Nationwide Children’s Hospital or to make a donation, visit NationwideChildrens.org.

When Cecelia Jalloh approached the first tee at The Ohio State University Golf Club’s Scarlet Course, taking the ceremonial First Shot to Fight Cancer to open the 2024 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, she was taking a swing on behalf of all children and families who are impacted by this dreaded disease. 

Nationwide, a founding partner of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship golf tournament, honored Cecelia’s cancer journey by surprising her with a $10,000 college scholarship before the opening round of play at the Korn Ferry Tour Finals event.

After taking the First Shot, Cecelia reflected, “I’m so honored to have the opportunity and be here for those other patients who couldn’t be. And I greatly appreciate the scholarship. It was very unexpected!”

In the summer of 2021, then 15-year-old Cecelia was experiencing abnormal aching and cramping in her body, especially affecting her legs. After enduring many painful episodes, Cecelia was taken to an urgent care clinic, but left untreated as doctors were unable to identify the cause of the aching and cramping. A few days later, the pain intensified, and Cecelia’s mother took her to Nationwide Children’s Hospital where a diagnosis was determined - acute leukemia. The news came right before Cecelia was set to begin her sophomore year in high school.

Chemotherapy treatment began immediately. Multiple surgeries and other procedures also followed over the next two and a half years. Despite dealing with many medical challenges and remote learning during her sophomore year, Cecelia managed to complete her studies on time while battling through treatment.  

Cecelia is now 18 years old and in remission. She recently graduated from Groveport Madison High School and will soon start classes at Columbus State University where she is pursuing a degree in nursing. 

“Cecelia’s fighting spirit in the face of a very serious diagnosis brings to life the charitable mission of this tournament,” said Jim McCoy, associate vice president of sports marketing for Nationwide and president of the tournament’s host organization, Champions of the Community. “Nationwide is pleased to present this scholarship as a way to support Cecelia’s future and acknowledge the incredible patient care that is delivered every day by the doctors, nurses, and staff at Nationwide Children’s.”

“We greatly appreciate the many ways Nationwide continuously supports our patients and families,” said Steve Testa, president, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation. “It’s great to see Cecelia thriving and planning for a future in nursing.”

Tournament proceeds benefit pediatric cancer research and treatment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Since the tournament’s inception in 2007, more than $25.6 million has been raised for the hospital. 

Nationwide Children’s Hospital remains the cornerstone beneficiary of Nationwide. Through Nationwide’s sponsorships of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday events including the Legends Luncheon, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon, the Columbus Crew, and a partnership with The Dale Jr. Foundation, Nationwide sports marketing platforms have helped raise more than $63 million for the hospital since 2011.

For more information about Nationwide Children’s Hospital or to make a donation, visit NationwideChildrens.org.

In Nationwide’s latest advertising campaign titled “So Much More,” the two-time Super Bowl champion Peyton Manning illustrates that he is so much more than quarterback Peyton Manning. In the debut spot, he is “Paintin’ Manning.”  

“These new ads showcase how people are frequently so much more than what they appear to be,” said Manning. “And Nationwide is so much more than an auto and home insurance company. They’re also a financial services giant who can help customers with things like planning for retirement and protecting their long-term goals.”  

Nationwide Chief Marketing Officer Ramon Jones is excited about the campaign. In the clip below, he talks about Nationwide’s relationship with Peyton Manning and how his journey is the perfect way to bring “So Much More” to life. 

“Paintin’ Manning” debuts September 5 on NBC during the 2024 NFL season-opening game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens. Other “So Much More” spots are coming throughout the season, so stay tuned!  

Newly reformatted to shine a greater light on players who are making a difference in their communities, the Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, honors the ongoing example of excellence and commitment set by the two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian ESPY Award.

“I want to congratulate these outstanding players on their nomination for this award,” said Lauren Holiday. “These nominees truly embody what it means to be a difference-maker both on and off the field and I look forward to celebrating them this season and seeing the lasting impact they will continue to have on their communities and beyond.”

The complete list of nominees, community partners and dates for each Appreciation Night can be seen below.

For more information on the nominees, community partners and the program, click here. 

“This class of Lauren Holiday Impact Award nominees exemplifies the giving spirit of the platform and its namesake,” said Ramon Jones, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide. “As the presenting sponsor, Nationwide is honored to highlight and amplify the meaningful work these players are doing in their communities to improve the lives of others.”

In keeping with the spirit of the award, all clubs will coordinate a service project with their nominee and a local community organization. Each nominee and their community partner will be recognized during their club’s Appreciation Night match where the partner will also receive a $5,000 donation from the league and Nationwide.

Club supporters will have the chance to vote for a player nominee as part of the fan vote in October. The nominee with the most fan votes at the end of the month will receive additional funds to donate to their community partner and an organization of their choice.

At the end of the season, one nominee will be named the winner of the 2024 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, and receive $30,000 to designate to a charitable organization of their choice. The winner of the award will be announced the week of the 2024 NWSL Championship, presented by Google Pixel. Additionally, all 14 player nominees will be honored as part of Championship Week celebrations.

About NWSL
The National Women’s Soccer League is the premier women’s professional soccer league in the world featuring national team players from around the globe. The clubs are Angel City FC, Bay FC, Boston, Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, Kansas City Current, NJ/NY Gotham FC, North Carolina Courage, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns FC, Racing Louisville FC, San Diego Wave FC, Seattle Reign FC, Utah Royals FC, and Washington Spirit.

In an effort to shine a greater light on the current players who are making a difference in the lives of others, the award has been reformatted and renamed in recognition of a former NWSL and U.S. Women’s National Team player whose career achievements and community impact are both inspirational and aspirational. 

The Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, honors the ongoing example of excellence and commitment set by the two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian ESPY Award.

“The NWSL is proud to honor Lauren Holiday as the namesake of this award recognizing exemplary athletes and their commitment to service and activism,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “Lauren’s influential work in the community and her outstanding character both on and off the field epitomize the values we look to uphold and celebrate in the NWSL every day. I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition than Lauren and look forward to seeing the continued positive impact this program has on our clubs and communities with her example guiding our efforts.”

"Throughout my career, both on and off the field, I have always believed in the power of giving back and creating positive change,” said Holiday. “This award is a testament to the important work that athletes are doing to strengthen and uplift their communities every day and I am deeply humbled to take on its namesake. I hope it inspires others to continue their efforts in making a lasting impact on the lives of those around them.”

The Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, will now prominently focus on and celebrate the community involvement of individual player nominees. The 2024 club-nominated finalists will be announced in the coming months. At the end of the season, one winner will receive $30,000 to designate to a charitable organization of their choice.

“Promoting community service and supporting the athletes has always been central to Nationwide’s partnership with the NWSL,” said Ramon Jones, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide. “Naming this award after someone who embodies its spirit in the way Lauren Holiday does is a meaningful evolution of the platform. We look forward to honoring this year’s nominees and continuing to spotlight the important example they set for others.”

In keeping with the spirit of the award, each club will coordinate a service project with its nominee and a local community organization. Each nominee and their community partner will be recognized during their Club’s Appreciation Night match where the partner will also receive a $5,000 donation from the league and Nationwide.

Holiday spent three seasons in the NWSL, amassing 23 goals and 20 assists in 53 competitions. A two-time NWSL Champion, the Indianapolis native and founding investor in Angel City FC was the league’s inaugural MVP in 2013.

A member of the U.S. Women’s National Team from 2007 to 2015, Holiday won gold medals at both the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics and scored the game-winning goal in the final of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup to help the national team win a historic third World Cup title. She announced her retirement from professional soccer in the fall of 2015.

In 2020, Holiday and her husband co-founded the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Impact Fund, a program supporting nonprofits, businesses, and educational institutions in five key focus cities with the goal of combating socioeconomic inequality and fostering community growth.

The winner of the inaugural Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, will be announced the week of the 2024 NWSL Championship, presented by Google Pixel. Additionally, all 14 player nominees will be honored as part of Championship Week celebrations.

Dalessandro, who founded Dalessandro Insurance Inc in 1995, was invited to attend the 2024 NFL Draft weekend in Detroit as a guest of Nationwide, an official sponsor of the National Football League since 2014. As part of that experience, the company offered him a chance to announce an official team selection during Round 6.

When Dalessandro took the stage before the record-setting crowd assembled in downtown Detroit, the longtime Lions fan couldn’t resist the opportunity to give a shoutout to the hometown team when he said, “Hopefully all of this local energy translates into a local Super Bowl championship for the Detroit Lions!” 

Then, it was onto the business at hand as Dalessandro announced that, with the 213^th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams select Jordan Whittington – wide receiver from Texas.

(Watch Steve announce the selection. Courtesy: Los Angeles Rams)

“Nationwide’s partnership with the NFL encompasses access to many unique opportunities that we’re able to provide our business partners as a way of saying ‘thank you,’” said Jim McCoy, Associate Vice President of Nationwide’s Sports Marketing. “It was great to see Steve enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime chance to be part of an NFL Draft in his home state.”       

Looking back on the opportunity, Dalessandro simply described the experience as “unreal.”

However, Sydney has had to maintain a fighting spirit since she was as infant. Born prematurely, Sydney was diagnosed with hyperbilirubinemia, a condition that causes jaundice, a yellow discoloration of the eyes and skin. Throughout the first year of her life, Sydney struggled with growth delays that led to a diagnosis of short stature with no known scientific cause for the diagnosis. 

At age four, Sydney developed a cold that she couldn’t shake and suffered from several other conditions that were affecting her appearance and behavior. Determined to find answers, her parents drove her to Nationwide Children’s Hospital Urgent Care where, shortly thereafter, her care team transferred her to the main hospital. 

Sydney was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, a rare condition that causes inflammation in blood vessels throughout the body. After experiencing a number of serious symptoms, Sydney’s blood pressure and heart were closely monitored, and she was given the only treatment available at the time, an intravenous immunoglobulin.  

With Sydney on the infectious disease floor where visitor access is limited, and a new baby sibling at home, Sydney’s parents leaned on their faith to help them through that extremely difficult time.  

“We were given the best care, level of treatment, and guidance that would guarantee her a long and healthy life, and we are thankful for that and Dr. Amponsah,” said Sydney’s mother, Tiffany.  

After receiving treatment, Sydney’s temperature and blood pressure came down, and her loving personality began to shine through again. At a cardiology follow-up two years later, Sydney and her family were told that there was no evidence of damage to Sydney’s heart, and further appointments would not be necessary. 

Sydney’s brave spirit and perseverance were celebrated at the 14^th annual Legends Luncheon presented by Nationwide, where Jack and Barbara Nicklaus announced Sydney as the 2024 Nicklaus Youth Spirit Award recipient. The award honors a patient champion who has shown strength and positivity in the face of adversity. The recognition is a highlight of Legends Luncheon, an annual event hosted by the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, that puts a spotlight on the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation and Nationwide Children’s Hospital alliance. 

Upon hearing that she was selected as this year’s Nicklaus Youth Spirit Award recipient, Sydney said, “I started thinking about how I could pay it forward. I’m inspired by Nationwide Children’s Hospital because the way that they help other people, and the way that they helped me, makes me want to go out and help others, too, in any way that I can.”  

“Sydney’s resilience, and her family’s strength, during her earlier years is truly inspiring. Hearing her story of compassionate care and recovery embodies what the Nicklaus Youth Spirit Award stands for,” said Ramon Jones, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide. “Helping patients and families like Sydney’s is why Nationwide has been invested in supporting Nationwide Children’s for more than 60 years and proudly continues to do so.”   

The 2024 Legends Luncheon raised $1.43 million, bringing the 14-year total to nearly $15 million. All proceeds from the event directly benefit the young patients and families that Nationwide Children’s Hospital compassionately serves each day. 

Learn how you can support the work at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. 

“Draft Night Drills” features the NFL Hall of Famer coaching fictional prospects on how to handle familiar Draft night scenarios - from picking the perfect look to getting that hug with the commissioner just right!   

“Nationwide’s decade long partnership with the National Football League has allowed the brand to engage with some of the most passionate and dedicated fans in the world of sports,” said Ramon Jones, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide. “Our ‘Draft Night Drills’ campaign hits on those unforgettable moments that make the Draft special for NFL prospects, while having fun and reminding viewers Nationwide is here to help people prepare for their financial futures.” 

“In ten years of partnership with Nationwide, we’ve done a lot of great work together, but using the NFL Draft as a backdrop was special and brought back some good memories,” said Peyton Manning. “It was fun to parody some of those signature moments that people expect during the NFL Draft.”  

Check out the "Draft Night Drills" 30 second commercial!  

The new creative leverages Nationwide’s partnership with the NFL and its relationship with one of football’s most recognizable figures to reinforce Nationwide as a trusted financial services provider.  

“Draft Night Drills” features the NFL Hall of Famer coaching fictional prospects on how to handle familiar Draft night scenarios, from picking the perfect look to perfecting the requisite on-stage moments.  

“Nationwide’s decade long partnership with the National Football League has allowed the brand to engage with some of the most passionate and dedicated fans in the world of sports,” said Ramon Jones, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide. “Our ‘Draft Night Drills’ campaign hits on those unforgettable moments that make the Draft special for NFL prospects, while having fun and reminding viewers Nationwide is here to help people prepare for their financial futures.” 

“In ten years of partnership with Nationwide, we’ve done a lot of great work together, but using the NFL Draft as a backdrop was special and brought back some good memories,” said Peyton Manning. “It was fun to parody some of those signature moments that people expect during the NFL Draft.”  

Teaser spots will be in market starting April 15 across broadcast, social media and digital platforms. The primary 30-second commercial will debut on April 25 to coincide with the first day of the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit.  

Nationwide has been an official sponsor of the National Football League since 2014 and recently announced a multiyear renewal. The extension adds sponsorship in the retirement planning category beginning with the 2024 NFL season while maintaining presenting sponsorship of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award and designation as the league’s official auto, home, life, business, agribusiness, and pet insurance partner. 

The Nationwide N & Eagle will be on front of the Fury jerseys and the company will be recognized as presenting partner of the Fury’s inaugural season. Nationwide will also support the team’s community initiatives.  

“The introduction of the Columbus Fury is an exciting addition to Columbus’ sports scene, and Nationwide is happy to be part of this milestone moment for women’s professional volleyball,” said Ramon Jones, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide. “We’re proud to partner with another hometown team and showcase the talents of these world-class athletes during their inaugural year with the new Pro Volleyball Federation.” 

“Carrying the Nationwide brand on our team jersey is an honor,” said Dr. David Paitson, CEO of the Columbus Fury. “To have an alignment with a company of the magnitude of Nationwide immediately elevates the Fury brand. We are proud to be representing them and look forward to working together in this groundbreaking venture.”   

Nationwide’s partnership with the Fury marks an expansion of its presence in women’s sports. The Fortune 100 insurance and financial services company has been a sponsor of the National Women’s Soccer League since 2021. 

The Columbus Fury plays their inaugural home match at Nationwide Arena on February 21, 2024. For more information about the Fury, visit www.columbusfury.com and @columbusfury on social media.  

This award honors the memory of the beloved Chicago Bears running back affectionately known as “Sweetness” by celebrating an NFL player who excels both on the field and in serving his community. Heyward is the fifth Steelers player to receive the award, following Franco Harris (1976), Joe Green (1979), Lynn Swann (1981) and Jerome Bettis (2001).

Heyward continues to serve as a pillar of the Pittsburgh community through the work done by his foundation, The Heyward House. In 2023, he hosted his second annual Cam’s Kindness Week where he met with local students and talked about overcoming adversity, coping with grief and achieving goals. The week was capped off with the opening of a new Craig’s Closet, which provides young men with free dress clothes for interviews, internships, and more.

In recognition of his outstanding charitable contributions, Heyward will receive a donation of $250,000 to benefit a charity of his choice. Each of the other 31 nominees representing their respective NFL clubs will also receive a donation of up to $55,000 in support of their chosen causes or charities. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide. 

“Nationwide is thrilled to congratulate Cameron Heyward on being named the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year,” said Ramon Jones, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide. “As a company that is committed to protecting, serving and strengthening communities, we’re honored to celebrate Cameron’s dedication to improve the lives of others during our 10^th year as presenting sponsor of this prestigious award.”    

Since becoming the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presenting sponsor in 2014, Nationwide has donated more than $2.3 million to the foundations and causes represented by the nominees.

To learn more about Heyward and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, visit www.nfl.com/manoftheyear.  

As part of Black History Month, Grammy-award winning artist and Nationwide spokesperson H.E.R. will be sharing Black music facts on Nationwide’s social media channels – some you may know; others may surprise you!

Follow Nationwide on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook and click the videos below to watch.

Dozens of schools entered the Nationwide Challenge Contest on TikTok with their creative spins on Nationwide’s iconic jingle.

Based on TikTok likes, the five winning schools are:

• Blytheville High School in Blytheville, AR
• Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts in Chattanooga, TN
• Clarksdale High School in Clarksdale, MS
• Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix, AZ
• Pine Forge Academy in Pine Forge, PA

Nationwide surprised the schools on video calls to let them know they won. Each of the winning schools receives a $5,000 contribution from Nationwide.

“We were so impressed by all of the Nationwide jingle renditions on TikTok,” said Kristi Daraban, Nationwide’s Associate Vice President of Social Media. “At Nationwide, we know music matters. By contributing to music education, we can help students continue to develop their musical talents.”  

When asked what the contribution would be used for, the schools’ wish lists included choir robes, instruments, sheet music and field trips.  

Click the images below to watch the winning entries:

About the Nationwide Challenge Contest

Nationwide partnered with Zaya Campbell, the dynamic young woman who helped the jingle go viral on TikTok, to launch the contest.

The Nationwide Jingle Challenge High School Music Contest gave U.S. high school choirs, bands, glee clubs and similar musical performance groups a chance to put their own creative mark on the Nationwide jingle.

“Nationwide has supported education and educators for decades,” said Ramon Jones, Nationwide's Chief Marketing Officer. "Through programs like Prom Promise, the Golden Owl Award and many others, Nationwide has helped teachers provide an extraordinary education for students of all ages, and in turn created awareness about insurance, financial services and planning for retirement once their time in the classroom is over. The Nationwide Jingle Challenge is the latest such program.”

Follow Nationwide on TikTok to see all the entries.

On December 14, tournament and hospital officials gathered to announce that the 2023 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship raised a record total $3,518,710 million for central Ohio charitable organizations, including $3,307,331 million for pediatric cancer research and treatment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. This marks the third consecutive year in which the $3 million mark has been exceeded. Over the last 17 years, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship has raised more than $25.6 million in support of the hospital’s pediatric cancer program.

"This tournament continues to set the bar in terms of fundraising on the Korn Ferry Tour and we’re tremendously thankful to the many partners and patrons who contribute to its unparalleled success,” said John Carter, president and chief operating officer for Nationwide Financial and chairman of Champions of the Community, the host organization for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship. “The collective efforts of our supporters, tournament staff and volunteers, along with the participation of our Patient Champions, are what make this event so impactful year after year.”

“The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship makes a difference for our hospital, but it also has an impact for children with cancer all over the world,” said Tim Robinson, CEO of Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “For 17 years, the tournament has supported care here – and supported our research that has improved cancer care everywhere. Nationwide and the Championship’s sponsors, volunteers and spectators have once again added to a remarkable legacy of generosity.”   

Since 2011, Nationwide’s sports marketing partnerships have contributed more than $60 million to Nationwide Children’s. Beyond the golf-related fundraising from Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, Legends Luncheon and 11 years as presenting sponsor of the Memorial Tournament, additional support comes from partnerships with the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon, Columbus Crew and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

For more information about Nationwide Children’s Hospital or to make a donation, visit nationwidechildrens.org.  

Beginning Wednesday and lasting through Saturday’s final match, “Go Crew” will illuminate the Plaza One windows. Nationwide is the official jersey sponsor of the Crew.

“The entire city is energized by the Crew’s fantastic season,” said Ramon Jones, CMO Nationwide. “We’re hoping the Nationwide lights let the players know how much we’re pulling for them and give them some inspiration as they try to bring home another MLS Cup!”

The 2023 MLS Cup Final between Columbus and LAFC kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. ET.

Click here to learn how Nationwide brings these messages to life.

“Nationwide is thrilled to extend our relationship with the NFL as we celebrate our tenth year as presenting sponsor of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award,” said Ramon Jones, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide. “This partnership continues to be a terrific vehicle to support numerous player-backed charities, reach key audiences and deliver premier experiences for our business partners. Widely regarded as the league’s most prestigious award, we’re honored to help the Payton family keep Walter’s legacy alive.”

Nationwide was the first, and has been the only, sponsor connected to the platform that honors the legacy of Walter Payton by amplifying the community work of current NFL players.

Since aligning with the NFL and the Payton family to expand and elevate the Man of the Year platform, Nationwide has contributed more than $2.3 million to the causes represented by the nominees and winners. Over that time, Nationwide began the annual Charity Challenge in 2015 and partnered with Alltroo in 2022 to provide nominees with additional opportunities to raise funds and awareness for their chosen charities.

In 2017, the collaboration between Nationwide, the league and the Payton family brought to life the NFL Man of the Year trophy silhouette in uniform elements to further recognize past award winners and current nominees. New this year, the NFL Man of the Year goal post wraps will be featured on home fields during Week 14 games.

“We’re thrilled to announce the extension of our partnership with Nationwide, in what promises to be an incredible 10th year of sponsorship of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award,” said Tracie Rodburg, Senior Vice President, Sponsorship Management at the NFL. “We’re looking forward to continuing to work together with Nationwide to honor players making a positive impact on communities across the country.”

The 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominees will once again be invited to take part in dedicated Super Bowl week activities including visiting a local Boys & Girls Club, attending NFL Honors and being recognized at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. 

The nominees from each team will be announced by the NFL on Tuesday, December 5 with the winner revealed during NFL Honors, a primetime awards special to air nationally the Thursday before Super Bowl LVIII on CBS. 

“Congratulations to Racing Louisville FC, player ambassador Jaelin Howell and Down Syndrome of Louisville on this award-winning collaboration,” said Ramon Jones, Nationwide’s EVP and Chief Marketing Officer. “Jaelin’s leadership and hands-on approach made for a truly authentic club-community partnership. Nationwide is honored to showcase their collective efforts and continue to support Down Syndrome of Louisville’s mission to provide lifelong learning services to maximize the unique abilities of individuals with Down syndrome.”

“Jaelin Howell exemplifies what it means to serve her community,” said Down Syndrome of Louisville Engagement Director Carly Riggs. “At Down Syndrome of Louisville, with Jaelin leading the way, we truly feel as if we are ‘BFFs’ with Racing Lou! Jaelin and her community engagement team planned events, sponsorships, giving campaigns, and volunteer opportunities to support our members throughout the year, and our partnership is so special. We are so proud and humbled that Jaelin chose DSL, and we can’t wait to see what magic we can make in the future.”

Serving over 1,300 individuals in Kentucky and Southern Indiana, Down Syndrome of Louisville works to support, educate, and advocate for individuals with Down Syndrome to help them to reach their full potential. Their work includes specialized developmental and educational services for individuals with Down Syndrome across their entire lifespan. To learn more about Down Syndrome of Louisville, or to donate to their cause, visit dsoflou.org.

As part of the Nationwide Community Impact Award program, each NWSL team partnered with Nationwide to select one season-long community partner. Each community organization received a donation from Nationwide to support its program and serve as the focus of a team-led service project, with a designated player ambassador to champion the effort.

Racing Louisville FC becomes the third recipient of the award since its inception in 2021. Previous club winners include Kansas City Current (2022) and OL Reign (2021).

“Alongside Nationwide, the NWSL and its member clubs have supported more than 30 community partners around the country, and we look forward to serving many more as part of this continued collaboration,” said NWSL Executive Vice President of Partner Strategy Mitch Poll. “Service and advocacy are foundational pillars of our league and the broader women’s sports community, and we’re committed to reinforcing the powerful connection between sports and social responsibility. We’re thrilled to continue working with Nationwide to lift up the causes and initiatives that we believe will create a positive and lasting impact in the communities we play in, both on and off the pitch.”

Since co-creating a philanthropic platform with the NWSL, Nationwide has collaborated with the league, its clubs and designated player ambassadors to showcase and support unique club-community partnerships in each market. To date, Nationwide has contributed nearly $250,000 to team-selected nonprofit organizations around the league. The winner of the 2023 Nationwide Community Impact Award will be announced in an on-field presentation during the 2023 NWSL Championship, presented by Bud Light, on November 11 in San Diego.

The partnership renewal ensures Nationwide’s continued support of the community impact program, which will include significant enhancements to the platform starting with the 2024 campaign.

“This renewal represents our confidence in where this league is going. We’re excited to contribute to its momentum and showcase the talent, passion, and excellence of these athletes,” said Ramon Jones, EVP and chief marketing officer for Nationwide. “We’re also continuing our support to players off the pitch as we look forward to hosting a new group of women to ‘Experience Nationwide’ through a unique immersion program we created specifically for NWSL athletes.” 

For the second year in a row, Nationwide plans to provide several current NWSL athletes with a professional development opportunity at the company’s headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. The 2023 “Experience Nationwide” class is expected to include Dorian Bailey (Washington Spirit), Shea Groom (Houston Dash), Savannah Madden (Houston Dash), Addisyn Merrick (Kansas City Current), Cassie Miller (Kansas City Current) and Abby Smith (Gotham FC).

The two-week program, which begins November 27, will introduce the athletes to Nationwide’s corporate culture and equip them with knowledge that will serve them now and after their playing days. A look back at the inaugural “Experience Nationwide” program can be found here.

Tickets for the 2023 NWSL Championship, presented by Bud Light, remain available here, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 11. The match will air live in primetime on the CBS Television Network and Paramount+, with additional coverage details to be announced in the coming days. 

About NWSL
The National Women’s Soccer League is the premier women’s professional soccer league in the world featuring national team players from around the globe. The clubs are Angel City FC, Bay FC, Boston, Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, Kansas City Current, NJ/NY Gotham FC, North Carolina Courage, OL Reign, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns FC, Racing Louisville FC, San Diego Wave FC, Utah Royals FC, and Washington Spirit.

How did the Nationwide Challenge start?
The original sound includes a video of 5-year-old Zaya Campbell, daughter of Erica Campbell, singing the Nationwide jingle. Erica Campbell is a contemporary gospel artist who was a part of the group, Mary Mary. The video is a few years old, as Zaya is 11 now, but the clip resurfaced recently and has been a popular sound on social media.

“Well, it looks like my sweet girl is going viral @Nationwide call me!” Erica said on Instagram.

🎵 Naaationwiiiiiiiiiiiiide is onnnnnnnnn yooooouuuuuurrrrrr siiiiiiiiiiiiiidee 🎵

A day or two after the video started trending, Nationwide reached out to Zaya’s mother to see how they could collaborate on some entertaining content.

Zaya recorded a sequel video that included her original audio.

Nationwide is working to partner with the Campbell family and to show its appreciation in imaginative, meaningful ways, all while keeping true to its mission of protecting futures with extraordinary care.

Follow Nationwide on TikTok and make your own Nationwide Challenge video.

Related stories:

• Who wrote the Nationwide jingle?

Since the tournament’s inception in 2007 with Nationwide as a founding partner, more than $22.3 million has been raised through the 2022 event to support pediatric cancer treatment and research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. That charitable mission was on display the week of September 18 as the 17^th annual event was played at The Ohio State University Golf Club, Scarlet Course where 24-year-old Norman Xiong took home the championship trophy and assured his PGA TOUR membership for 2024.

“This premier tournament has always been a showcase for some of golf’s rising stars, but its tradition is also rooted in helping kids,” said John Carter, president of Nationwide Financial and chairman of the tournament’s host organization, Champions of the Community. “The fundraising to enable cutting-edge research and innovation at Nationwide Children’s is a critically important aspect of this tournament, but we’re also honored by the opportunity to include Patient Champions from the hospital in several events during the week.” 

The annual Pros Fore Patients paired Patient Champions with Tour professionals for on-course golf instruction, games, and assembly of care packages for current patients at Nationwide Children’s. Select Patient Champions also participated as Honorary Observers on Sunday, walking with the final professional pairings of the tournament and waving to fans as they were recognized by the 18-hole announcer.

Additional ceremonies bookended the competition with the First Shot to Fight Cancer opening the first round of play and the Last Putt to Cure Cancer closing the tournament, both shots taken by 16-year-old Patient Champion Reid Zupanc of Delaware, Ohio. Reid was also awarded a $10,000 college scholarship by Nationwide following his ceremonial tee shot.

Eight-year-old Aiden Fulton, who was diagnosed with leukemia at two years old, was one of the Patient Champions who took part in tournament-week events. As Aiden was practicing his drive and putting with Tour professionals during Pros Fore Patients, his mother Kat said, “All the hard days are behind us, and he gets to just do the things that he missed out on for so many years.”

Lasting relationships and bonds are formed during the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship. During the week, Aiden also had the opportunity to catch up with Tour professional Camilo Villegas, whom he met at the tournament in 2021. The two have kept in touch and were able to enjoy time together on the putting green after the conclusion of Pros Fore Patients.

Nationwide Children’s receives more than 1.7 million patient visits annually and cares for kids and families from every U.S. state and more than 46 countries. To learn more about one of the country’s largest not-for-profit free-standing pediatric academic medical centers, visit NationwideChildrens.org.