Rick Pitino, Amir Khan auctioning memorabilia from 2024-25 season, raising NIL funds

After St. John’s season came to an end against Arkansas, Rick Pitino and the Red Storm head into an interesting offseason. The program is coming off its first outright Big East title in more than 30 years and has plenty of momentum.

To capitalize, Pitino is helping raise NIL funds, similar to how Adrian Wojnarowski did at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure. Pitino’s iconic white Armani suit is up for auction, with funds going toward St. John’s NIL.

The suit is one of a few items on the block at Daps Bounty as part of its Madness Collection. Viral McNeese State manager Amir Khan has a Buffalo Wild Wings jukebox up for auction, as well, and shorts worn by ESPN analyst Jay Williams during a national championship at Duke are also listed. “Experiences” with CBS Sports reporter Jon Rothstein and FOX Sports’ John Fanta are part of the campaign, as well.

Daps Bounty is the same company that worked with Wojnarowski, who auctioned off old phones and memorabilia to raise money for St. Bonaventure NIL efforts. Those sales raised nearly $18,000.

Pitino’s suit is the one he wore for a Feb. 16 victory over Creighton and a March 1 win over Seton Hall, both at Madison Square Garden. The high offer was $7,500 as of Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET.

NIL support helped fuel St. John’s rebuild

St. John’s has had strong NIL support as Rick Pitino quickly rebuilt the program into a national contender, largely with the support of donor Mike Repole, and On3’s Pete Nakos reported just how much this year’s roster cost. The Red Storm are also expected to have even more investment next year and beyond, as will the rest of the Big East if the House v. NCAA settlement receives full approval. As a result, the revenue-sharing era would begin.

Pitino has spoken highly of the support he has at St. John’s and the role Repole plays. When it comes to roster-building, though, it goes beyond NIL dollars.

“You build a team by making sure you understand the whole puzzle of what goes into it, and people just mischaracterize the NIL and why St. John’s has been built,” Pitino said earlier this month. “St. John’s didn’t get built by the NIL. St. John’s got built with character of the players, and certainly we are excited to have these young men.”