Bill Zito
William Francis Zito, Jr. (born September 16, 1964) is an American attorney and professional sports agent.
Early life and education
Zito grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended Yale University and played on the varsity ice hockey team from 1984 to 1987. After graduating from Yale, he completed law school at the University of Wisconsin.[1]
Sports agent
After graduating from law school, Zito practiced at law firms in New York and Chicago. In 1995 he founded sports agency Acme World Sports[1] with close friend Markus Lehto.[2] Through Acme World Sports, Zito represented many National Hockey League players including Tim Thomas, Tuukka Rask, Antti Niemi and Brian Rafalski,[1] as well as several prominent professional ice hockey players in Europe. In 2013, Acme World Sports was listed as the 8th highest grossing hockey agency in the world.[3] Zito negotiated several precedent-setting contracts, including a 6-year, $38 Million (USD) contract for Kimmo Timonen in 2007,[4] a 6-year, $33 million contract for James Wisniewski in 2011[5] and an 8-year, $56 million deal for Tuukka Rask in 2013.[6]
Team management
In August 2013 Zito joined the management organization of the Columbus Blue Jackets. In June 2015 he was named the General Manager of the Lake Erie Monsters, the Blue Jackets' affiliate club in the American Hockey League.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Blue Jackets assistant GM Bill Zito named GM of Lake Erie Monsters". Columbus Blue Jackets. 23 June 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ↑ "Markus Lehto - Acme World Sports". Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ↑ Belzer, Jason (31 July 2013). "The World's Most Valuable NHL Agencies". Forbes. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ↑ Panaccio, Tim (18 June 2007). "Flyers trade for, then sign Timonen, Hartnell". Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ↑ "Blue Jackets sign James Wisniewski". ESPN.com. 1 July 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ↑ Stubbs, Brian (10 July 2013). "Tuukka Rask signs eight-year, $56 million contract with Bruins". Retrieved 15 September 2015.