Alliance 412 set a goal to raise $1 million for Pitt athletics back on Nov. 3, and it took just under two months (nearly to the day) to hit that goal.
The “Million Dollar Mission” was established with just four games left in the 2023 season and just under a month until the transfer portal on Dec. 4. Pitt has already landed nine players from the portal, secured its 19-man recruiting class and is still actively scouring the portal.
“Pitt fans, we need your help! This November, Alliance 412 is working to raise money for the betterment of Pitt Athletes. This Million Dollar Mission is more than just a campaign — it’s a community call to action,” Alliance 412 said on Twitter.
$1 million may not sound like a lot of money in today’s NIL world, but it’s a substantial amount when it comes to adding difference makers — and it shows the community aspect of Pitt football.
Like it or not, NIL is a major factor now. And Alliance 412, as it was attempting to raise $1 million, was a major factor in the transfer portal already. Pat Narduzzi isn’t into the NIL landscape, choosing to leave it to those who want to engage in NIL discussions, but even he recognizes that it’s a necessary part of the game now.
Pitt may not be an NIL powerhouse amongst the likes of Texas A&M and others, but the NIL opportunities in Pittsburgh have been growing.
Alliance 412 announced a team-wide NIL deal in August, with all 85 scholarship athletes receiving at least $10,000 a season, and it was one of the first team-wide deals in college football. It was much needed in order for Pitt to keep up with the NIL giants around the country — and a significant investment from mega-donor Chris Bickell. It came as part of the “Oakland Originals” initiative.
Oakland Originals was the first NIL marketing initiative that helps student-athletes navigate NIL, provides athlete entrepreneurial development and content creation and personal branding opportunities — with both personal branding and brand partnerships.
It provides Pitt student-athletes, from every sport, with the opportunity to build their own personal brand through the Oakland Originals brand — through YouTube shows, clothing brands, etc. — with full NIL support and money-making potential. It also gives Pitt fans, alumni and supporters the chance to donate to the NIL collective.
The team — led by Alliance 412 founder Chris Bickell, COO Jeff Goldberg, and Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer John Pelusi — joined forces with Jaster Athletes, an athlete marketing agency launched by CEO Jordon Rooney, to launch the idea. The group has plans to bring resources to Pitt athletes that it claims cannot be found anywhere else across the college athletics landscape.
Those interested in supporting Alliance 412 and the Oakland Originals marketing brand are able to subscribe via a multitude of monthly tier packages that range from $10 a month to $500 a month.
The options include a student tier for $10 a month, a 1976 Society tier for $19.76 a month, a 412 Club tier for $41.20 a month, a Royal tier for $100 a month, a Gold tier for $250 a month and an Alliance Premium tier for $500 a month. Of course, each tier offers its own package of content and opportunities that reflect the monthly price.
I chipped in $50. You’re welcome, everybody.
Every bit helps. On and off the field. That $50 could’ve helped the scout team OT with something he needed but was too proud to ask for. He walks into practice that following day and has his best practice which in turn causes the starting DE to perform better. Sounds silly, but it’s the butterfly effect.
I don’t think we should be buying the Arch Manning’s of the world, but I do like that most of these kids are getting something and it takes some pressure off mentally from their college experience.
Thanks, Eli!
Thanks Eli…hope they use your donation (along with quite a few others) to try and convince Eli Holstein that he would look really good wearing the blue and gold.