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U.S. Bank announced this week that it has signed a multi-year agreement to become the official bank and wealth management sponsor of the National Football League.
In conjunction with the partnership, U.S. Bank is launching a new financial guidance program for players called Financial Edge, part of the NFL’s broader financial empowerment pilot. Through the program, U.S. Bank’s wealth management team will provide expertise to NFL players.
U.S. Bank has tapped Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner and a prospective 2026 NFL draft pick, to serve as “chief financial playmaker.” In this role, Mendoza will provide insights that will shape the Financial Edge program through his firsthand experience navigating NIL (name, image and likeness) and NFL contracts, working alongside the firm’s wealth management team.
“Mendoza is uniquely positioned to bring a blend of elite athletic achievement and business acumen to our Financial Edge program,” said Scott Ford, president, U.S. Bank Wealth Management. “His insights will ensure the curriculum is tailored to meet the unique planning needs of professional athletes, helping them achieve their financial stability throughout their careers and beyond.”
Mendoza earned his degree in business administration from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. Most recently, he was the quarterback for the National Championship-winning Indiana University Hoosiers, and he’s expected to sign his first NFL contract soon.
“Football taught me the value of preparation, teamwork and trust—those same principles fuel my interest in business and finance,” Mendoza said, in a statement. “Working with U.S. Bank allows me to pursue both, helping individuals and families plan for the future with confidence.”
In 2024, Mendoza interned at Newmark, a commercial real estate advisor and service provider. Prior to that, he also interned at ACRE Investment Company, a real estate fund manager, in the Bay Area.
Mendoza was among the first generation of college athletes to navigate NIL contracts. An NCAA rule change in 2021 allowed college athletes to monetize their NIL and profit from endorsements, subscriptions and licensing deals.
Yet financial advisors (including some former pro athletes) warn that many young athletes and their families are ill-prepared for the potential windfall and susceptible to the bad financial advice, shady business offers and sometimes outright financial fraud that often chases new money.
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