‘He’s doubling down’: Pitt athletics’ largest donor launches NIL collective, Alliance 412

Chris Bickell, a 1997 graduate of Pitt, stood at the podium of Heinz Field’s media room ahead of the Panthers’ season opener against UMass with an eye beyond that afternoon. Bickell donated $20 million to Pitt’s football program earlier in the week, and he was asked if he thought his commitment would start a domino effect.