After the NCAA’s recent rule change granting all athletes the ability to profit off of their name, image, and likeness, athletes all around the country have been searching for deals in different industries, looking to build their brand.
On Tuesday, Ithiel Horton became the first Pitt basketball player to announce an NIL deal publicly when he signed with IPZ USA, an agency that serves athletes, media professionals, and more.
According to IPZ’s website, the company specializes in handling contracts, advice, and more for its clients.
“We offer the experience to negotiate the best possible contracts, as well as providing marketing and media relations advice, public relations support and post-career planning for our clients,” the company said in a section titled “What We Do” on its website.
IPZ announced the deal via its Instagram, @ipzusa.
“We were fortunate to meet Ithiel and his dad through mutual friends,” IPZ’s Managing Partner Robert Zito said in a statement on the company’s website. “Ithiel is an amazing young man, who is going to be successful on and off the court. We look forward to working with him in the months and years ahead.”
After transferring from Delaware to Pitt, Horton sat out a year, and then played this most recent season. The 6-foot-3 wing averaged 9.8 points per game while shooting 38.1% from the field, including 37.1% from three-point range.
