Billionaire Ohio governor candidate mocked for wearing cheap Ohio State jersey at football opener

During Ohio State's home opener against Ball State, Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy was photographed wearing a black Ohio State jersey that many online users described as a low-priced replica rather than an official uniform. His post on X, which showed him greeting spectators, quickly went viral, gathering three million views and sparking a flood of comments mocking the attire. Observers pointed out the discrepancy between his jersey and the team's traditional red design, comparing it to inexpensive merchandise from discount retailers.

Given Ramaswamy's reported $3 billion net worth, critics argued the choice reflected poor judgment, while some supporters dismissed the backlash as a trivial “gotcha.” Democratic nominee Amy Acton seized the moment to criticize his recent trip to the U.S. Open in New York, framing it as a display of elite privilege. The controversy underscores the cultural and image battles shaping the close November 3 contest for Ohio governor.