Former NFL QB Michael Vick now an NIL mentor for athletes
LOS ANGELES (BVM) – If the NCAA’s Name, Image and Likeness were available at the time Michael Vick was in college, he may have broken the system. A player who was as fun to watch on the field as he was endorsable off of it, Vick had once been the face of both college football and the NFL thanks to his mix of breathtaking deep passes and top-notch escapability in the pocket. Sports fans sadly know how the rest of Vick’s story goes, but those lessons are part of what he wants to use to help the next generation of players behind him.
On June 7, Vick announced his plans to join Los Angeles-based sports management company Levels Sports Group, which specializes in in NIL, brand development, content strategy, partnerships, and public relations, as a partner and the organization’s head of athlete development, a sort of mentorship program akin to Stephen Curry’s NIL deal with UConn women’s basketball star Azzi Fudd.
“Can’t tell you how hyped I am to help mentor and guide these young athletes in their careers and in the NIL space,” Vick tweeted.
I'm excited to announce I'll be joining @levels_sports as a Partner & Head of Athlete Development. Can't tell you how hyped I am to help mentor & guide these young athletes in their careers & in the NIL space. ⁰⁰Big things ahead. 🤫💯 ⁰⁰#OnAnotherLevel #NIL #LevelsSportsGroup pic.twitter.com/VwjhT97G37
— Michael Vick (@MichaelVick) June 7, 2022
The company also seems to be excited about the marriage as co-founder and managing partner Justin Giangrande tweeted out his joy of having Vick officially join the team.
We’re thrilled to welcome @MichaelVick to our @levels_sports family! Big things ahead!
There’s LEVELS to this. 🙏🏻🏈🏆🤐#OnAnotherLevel | #NIL | #LevelsSportsGroup pic.twitter.com/fbUtXasshw
— Justin J. Giangrande (@JGnetworkCEO) June 7, 2022
While the current crop of players signed under the Levels Sports Group umbrella is small, it is rather impressive. Perhaps the most well-known of the group is Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, the former No. 1 QB in the nation in the Class of 2020 and a California native who played his high school football at St. John Bosco. Also on the short list are Class of 2023 No. 2 overall QB Malachi Nelson and teammate and top 50 national recruit Makai Lemon from Los Alamitos High School. Both players have already verbally committed to the University of Southern California for their collegiate careers.
In addition to the college level athletes, Vick will also work on mentoring former University Oregon standout De’Anthony Thomas. A seven-year veteran of the NFL, Thomas made news earlier this year when he announced his plans to attend the University of Oregon Pro Day in March in hopes of earning another NFL opportunity.
Former Oregon WR/KR standout De’Anthony Thomas — a former Baltimore Raven when he opted out in 2020 due to COVID and who now is signed to to the BC Lions in the CFL — wants to return to the NFL and will be working out at Oregon’s Pro Day on April 1st.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 27, 2022
Given Vick’s experiences with not only the positives of things such as endorsements and sponsorships, but also the negative impacts those things could have on an individual and their psyche, he is a great candidate to help lead the young men in their decision making for the future especially surrounding such a new topic like NIL deals. With Vick’s journey as the backdrop for his mentorship of these athletes, he is sure to attract many others towards him, benefiting both the athletes and Level Sports Group.
