NFL and culture legend Michael Vick may not be returning to the field, but he is lending his experience to sports management company Levels Sports Group. On Tuesday, the company announced that the former No. 1 recruit would join the position of head of sports development.
Can you imagine having Mike Vick as a great pal?
Well, her new clients need not dream as Vick joins the organization as an associate.
Michael Vick will join management company NIL Levels Sports as Partner and Head of Athlete Development pic.twitter.com/mizWNanVvk
— B/R Grid (@brgridiron) June 8, 2022
Mike the manager
“I couldn’t be more excited to partner with Levels and work with the talented athletes on their roster,” Vick said in a statement. “As someone who has had success at the highest level of football, I look forward to mentoring guys like DJ, Malachi and Makai and helping them get to where they want their football and professional careers to go. .”
Vick is being positioned to help grow the company’s name, image and likeness (NIL) business. As one of the most marketed NFL players in active history, Vick has a unique vision and cachet that can help shape young athletes.
Vick will “help with the mental and physical development and preparation of certain level talents while using his knowledge and experience to discuss how athletes can safely monetize themselves through the new NIL laws,” according to the firm.
Michael Vick joined @levels_sports as Athlete Development Manager.
Vick will work with clients on mental and physical preparation on the pitch, as well as ways to monetize through NIL opportunities.
(Going through @SmittySBJ)https://t.co/YDY3Vklo4m pic.twitter.com/1PdxZcA7Mj
— Sports Business Journal (@SBJ) June 7, 2022
Best recruits
Vick’s tenure includes “mentoring the company’s young quarterback roster.” Level Sports Group has a lineup that includes four-star and five-star rookies like Malachi Nelson (quarterback), Makai Lemon (receiver), who are draftees from USC, and the University of the University wide receiver. Oregon De’Anthony Thomas. Additionally, Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei is part of the Levels stable.
Uiagalelei amassed the most wealth and deals with new Michael Vick clients in the NIL era, according to On3 NIL with partnerships with Dr Pepper and Bojangles with a valuation of $420,000.
Vick has a choice of recruiting scope, with Malachi Nelson being the No. 2 ranked quarterback nationally and Makai Lemon the No. 1 ranked athlete in the 2023 football recruiting class, according to reports.
“We have recently seen NIL’s limitless opportunities for young athletes in the college and high school athlete space,” Levels co-founder Justin Giangrande said in a statement.
“It was clear to me that Mike wanted to share his knowledge and experience with our talents, 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 right now. while setting them up for long-term success.
Now in NIL space: Michael Vick.@MichaelVick joins Levels Sports Group as Head of Athlete Development. He will mentor young stars, including:
➖ DJ Uiagalelei, Clemson
➖ Malachi Nelson, USC QB Commit
➖ Makai Lemon, rookie #1 2023
➖ Oregon legend De’Anthony Thomas pic.twitter.com/iDup6ktAxL– Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 7, 2022
Who better than Vick?
Vick was a college football legend at Virginia Tech from 1998-2000 before becoming the first overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft, selected by the Falcons. NIL offers did not exist when Vick was playing; Still, the legendary quarterback understands the opportunities available to these athletes and now has the chance to mentor and help their decision-making and brand awareness.
Vick last played in the NFL in 2015 as a backup quarterback for the Steelers. The first six years of his career were spent in Atlanta before he was suspended for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
He spent two years in prison for his involvement in illegal dogfighting, returning to NFL action in 2009 with the Eagles and winning the league’s Returning Player of the Year award the following year.
Attach the cleats
Recently, there have been rumors that Vick could make a return to the Fan Controlled Football League, but he shut down any speculation with a tweet.
“I hung them up in 2015, never to return,” Vick tweeted. “We had an amazing time and accomplished so much. I say that to say that they will remain hung up, and that I will not come out of my retirement.
“I appreciate the opportunity to play but I’d rather put my frame hat on with what little property I have!”
