About – Finding The Underdog

Company overview

Finding The Underdog (FTU) Media is a global, cross-cultural company specializing in content creation, branding, digital, partnerships, events, consulting, marketing and technology centered around athletes and teams.

FTU is dedicated to telling the stories of those who go up against the odds in their quests to move from underdog to champion. In that respect, we are ourselves a media industry underdog but, with our talented team of storytellers and dynamic slate of new content in development, we too will leave that label behind rather quickly.

Mission & Vision

Our company’s mission is to focus on providing consistent top-tiered consultancy to athletes throughout their career and beyond. We are continuously engaging in and enhancing our craft by using a hands-on platform in managing the financial growth, mental health, on-field safety, marketability and holistic well-being of our clients throughout (and concluding) their respective careers.

For over 28 years, our agent partners have successfully managed the careers of hundreds of collegiate and professional athletes in various sports leagues including the NCAA, NBA, MLB, MLS, UFC, and NFL to name a few. This is inclusive of negotiating some of the highest valued contracts for players in NFL history.

For example, but not limited to:

In 2019, NZone was the proud sports management agency that boasted 2 of the 4 highest-paid NFL cornerbacks in terms of NFL contract payouts:

(#2) A.J. Bouye, Jacksonville Jaguars—$13.41 million and (#4) Christopher Harris, Jr., Denver Broncos—$12.05 million.

These two agency clients were the highest paid undrafted cornerbacks in NFL history.

In 2017, our agency negotiated the 2nd highest valued NFL Player Contract in free agency—$67.5 million (A.J. Bouye, Cornerback, Jacksonville Jaguars).

In 2014, our agency negotiated the 2nd highest valued NFL Player Contract in free agency—$42.5 million (Christopher Harris, Jr., Cornerback, Denver Broncos).

In 2007, our agency negotiated the highest valued NFL Player Contract for #3 wide receiver in NFL history—$14 million—remained the highest for 4 NFL seasons (Patrick Crayton, Sr., Dallas Cowboys).

“I personally pride myself on incessantly and strategically working towards taking the agency to the next level. This is inclusive of contract negotiations and customer service working in tandem to exceed the demands of the ever-changing sports management industry and client’s expectations. Success is not an option at this agency—it is the “ONLY” way!”
– Frederick T. Lyles, Jr., Founder & CEO of the NZone Sports Management Agency