Four Ohio State Athletes Sign NIL Pizza Deal

“Pizza With the Bucks” to feature Bruce Thornton, Zed Key, Kami Kortokrax and Sydni Ratliff

One of the collectives that supports Ohio State athletics has announced a continuation of its Name, Image and Likeness partnership with local grocery store chain Giant Eagle.

Recently, the 1870 Society and Giant Eagle entered into a partnership that would pair a variety of the grocery store’s products with Buckeyes athletes. The first was JT Tuimoloau Dandruff Shampoo, which featured the All-Big 10 defenive lineman.

Now, they’ve unveiled “Pizza With the Bucks,” a frozen cheese pizza that features four Ohio State athletes on it branding —men’s basketball players Bruce Thornton and Zed Key, All-Big 10 softball player Kami Kortokrax and All-Big 10 women’s tennis star Sydni Ratliff.

The label for the pizza features all four student-athletes. The pizza is only available at Giant Eagle stores throughout Ohio and retails for $7.99.

“Giant Eagle was where I always shopped with my parents growing up,” Kortokrax said in a release. “So the first time I walk in there and see the pizza, it’s gonna have to be with my parents. It will be an incredible moment that still doesn’t feel real.”

As part of the deal, each of the four will support the product through social media and make store visits to be announced at a later day.

Ohio State’s collectives have been among the most creative and forward-thinking in the NIL space since student athletes were allowed to start capitalizing on NIL a few years ago. By raising money in the space, it has allowed these student-athletes to make money while continuing their college careers and educations.