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Michael Vick Gets Into The Athlete Management Biz

Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick is getting into the athlete management business by partnering with Levels Sports Group, a California-based athlete management firm that specializes in name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities for pro and college athletes. Vick will take on the role of head of athlete development to provide mentorship to Levels’ clients, including Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei, USC QB Malachi Nelson, USC WR commit Makai Lemon, and Oregon WR De’Anthony Thomas.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have Mike join Levels as a Partner,” said Levels Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Justin J. Giangrande. “We have recently seen the limitless opportunities of NIL for young athletes in the college and high school athlete space. It was clear to me that Mike wanted to share his knowledge and experience with our talent as our goal is to help them navigate this ever changing space properly. Mike wants to ensure our athletes are making the best business decisions currently while simultaneously setting them up for long-term success. I am personally ecstatic to have Mike on this journey with us.”

Vick will become involved in a company that not only specializes in NIL, but also provides brand development, content strategy, talent partnerships, public relations, and mindset development for some of the world’s top athletes. Giangrande formerly served as a partner and Executive Vice President of VaynerSports.

By Darren Heitner

Darren Heitner created Sports Agent Blog as a New Year's Resolution on December 31, 2005. Originally titled, "I Want To Be A Sports Agent," the website was founded with the intention of causing Heitner to learn more about the profession that he wanted to join, meet reputable individuals in the space and force himself to stay on top of the latest news and trends.

Heitner now runs Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., which is a law firm with many practice areas, including sports law and contract law. Heitner has represented numerous athletes and sports agents as legal counsel. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington from 2011-2014, where he created and taught a course titled, Sport Agency Management, which included subjects ranging from NCAA regulations to athlete agent certification and the rules governing the profession. Heitner serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he teaches a Sports Law class that includes case law surrounding athlete agents and the NCAA rules.