Kansas Star Dickinson Launches NIL Pizza
No. 2 ranked Kansas Jayhawks' star center Hunter Dickinson is averaging a double-double this season - 19.2 points and a nation-leading 12.7 rebounds per game - so it's only fitting that his own pizza shares that honor.
In an innovative and carnivorous NIL deal for the Michigan transfer, Dickinson has collaborated with Kansas City-based Minsky’s Pizza on "Hunter's Double Double," featuring pepperoni, chicken, Wisconsin mozzarella, a double helping of Smithville smoked bacon and double sides of Hidden Valley ranch dipping sauce.
Available in all 17 Kansas City and Lawrence locations near KU's campus, "Hunter's Double Double" is an exclusive item for the 2023-24 college basketball season.
“Minsky’s is excited to work with Hunter," shared Gregg Johnson, Minsky’s Founder and CEO. "He’s a great player, a real competitor, and has great taste in pizza. And the ‘Double-Double’ has turned out to be a great name, I don’t think he’s had a game without one since the launch of the Hunter’s Double Double.”
Minsky’s has a deep history of collaborating with local athletes, including Jayhawks star quarterback Jalon Daniels, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, former Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith and Sporting KC legend Graham Zusi, all supporting community initiatives close to the athletes' hearts.
After launching a week ago, more than a thousand "Hunter's Double Double" pizzas have been sold and they are just getting started. Dickinson hosted the Jayhawks' team managers to dinner at Minsky’s, serving up a few of his signature pies.
"He’s a player to be reckoned with, his height is astonishing," Ken Kantner, Partner and Area Manager of Minsky’s Pizza shared. "He’s very serious though. When he accepted the deal, he said he wanted to make this the best athlete deal Minsky’s had ever done. That was extremely impressive, he was committed. When he came to the Lawrence store to try out some pizzas that had been narrowed down for his selection, he was great to work with."
Kantner, who taught the 7'2" Dickinson how to spin dough, walked him through the pizza line where his creation gets assembled.
"We shot some fun scenarios - enough that Minsky’s would have reels throughout the season," added Kantner. "He was really into the whole thing. He even tossed some dough - but not in the kitchen, the ceiling was too low. He did it in the dining room - and he was a natural. Lot’s of spin on it, good height, and good catches. And when some dough went a little wide, Hunter’s great wingspan made it an easy catch."
Outside of pizza, Dickinson - represented by Engage co-founder and CEO Daniel Hennes - counts adidas, JBL Headphones, Wendy's, CVS and Kroger as NIL partners.
The Jayhawks next host Yale on Friday.
