Jolin Ellison, University of Michigan Alumna, Becomes Key Sports Donor
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Jolin Ellison, University of Michigan Alumna, Becomes Key Sports Donor
- Jolin Ellison, a 2012 University of Michigan graduate, has emerged as a significant figure in Michigan athletics, reportedly playing a critical role in securing a multi-million dollar NIL deal for quarterback Bryce Underwood.
- Ellison, also known as Keren Zhu, graduated with a bachelor's degree in International Studies and has been described as a passionate supporter of Michigan Athletics.
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Jolin Ellison, an alumna of the University of Michigan, has become a prominent donor and influential voice in the university’s sports programs, particularly football. Ellison, who graduated in 2012 with a degree in International Studies, is reportedly married to Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison.
Her involvement gained significant public attention in November 2024, when she was credited as being instrumental in Michigan’s successful recruitment of five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood. The deal for Underwood, which saw him flip his commitment from LSU to Michigan, was widely reported to be a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) package worth between $10 million and $12 million over four years. A statement from Champions Circle, Michigan’s NIL collective, initially thanked both Larry and Jolin Ellison for their “invaluable guidance and financial resources,” though a subsequent statement removed Larry Ellison’s name, referring only to “Larry and his wife Jolin.”
Sources close to the collective indicated that Jolin Ellison, not Larry, was the driving force behind securing Underwood’s commitment, making a significant donation that predated the public announcement. She has publicly expressed her strong support for Michigan Athletics, stating, “I am a big fan of the University of Michigan and Michigan Athletics. We are excited to support our student-athletes, so they can go compete at the highest level in college sports.” Her influence is seen as a potential game-changer for Michigan, enabling the Wolverines to compete with other top college football programs in the evolving NIL landscape.