Jesse Itzler is an American entrepreneur, author, and rapper.[3] He is the co-founder of
Marquis Jet, one of the largest private
jet card companies in the world, a partner in
Zico Coconut Water, the founder of The 100 Mile Group and one of the owners of the
NBA'sAtlanta Hawks.[4][5]
Early life and education
Jesse Itzler was born on August 22, 1968, to a
Jewish family[6] and raised in
Roslyn, New York,[7] on
Long Island, the son of Daniel Itzler, an inventor, and Elese Itzler,[8] the president of the Roslyn Board of Education. Itzler earned his bachelor's degree in 1990 from
American University. He later obtained a degree in justice, law, and society.[1][2]
Career
Music career
After graduating from college, Itzler signed with
Delicious Vinyl records as a songwriter/artist. He released his debut album Thirty Footer in Your Face using the pseudonym Jesse Jaymes in 1991. He co-wrote songs for various artists including
Tone Lōc.[3] His first released single "College Girls (Are Easy)" while not ranking on the
Billboard Hot 100 chart did become a club anthem. This was followed by his second single "Shake It Like A White Girl", which did reach 74 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1991[9] and was featured in the soundtrack of the 2004 movie White Chicks.[10] In 1992, Itzler wrote and sang the
New York Knicks theme song "Go NY Go"[11] as well as original songs for more than 50 other professional teams. Itzler wrote and sang the
Emmy Award-winning song "I Love This Game" and also produced the theme song for Inside the NBA. Itzler is credited with campaigns for Foot Locker and Coca-Cola.[12]
Itzler's music partner was Dana Mozie, whom he met in 1987, a man described as being from a "strikingly different background... raised in the southeast section of Washington... as streetwise as Itzler was suburban," with whom he collaborated on several musical projects in his period as Jesse Jaymes.[2]
Entrepreneurship
In 1996, Itzler co-founded Alphabet City Sports Records with his friend
Kenny Dichter.[13] The record company is known for mixing classic arena songs with highlights of historical play-by-play calls for professional sports teams including the Wizards, the Mavericks, and the Lakers. In 1998, the company was sold to SFX.[14]
In 2001, Itzler co-founded
Marquis Jet, one of the largest private jet card companies in the world.[15] Itzler served as the company's Vice Chairman until the company was acquired by
Berkshire Hathaway, parent company of
NetJets, in 2009.[4][16]
In 2009, Itzler created the 100 Mile Group, a brand incubator and accelerator.[17][18] The company announced a partnership with
ZICO Coconut Water and the Coca-Cola company in 2009.[19] In 2012, ZICO was acquired by Coca-Cola for an undisclosed sum.[15]
In November 2015, Itzler released his book Living With a SEAL: 31 Days Training With the Toughest Man on the Planet.[20] The book was a
New York Times Best Seller and ranked first on the LA Times book list.[21][22] He released Living With the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus in 2018.[23] Itzler is represented by literary agent Lisa Leshne of The Leshne Agency.[24]
Recently, he has begun to pursue keynote speaking.[25]
In 2006, Itzler competed in the USA National
Ultra Marathon Championship in
Grapevine, Texas, successfully completing a 100-mile run in under 24 hours.[32] Itzler finished 49th out of 80 in the SEA Paddle NYC 25 mile stand up paddle race around Manhattan in 2012.[33]
^NBA: "Group Led By Tony Ressler Completes Purchase of Atlanta Hawks" June 25, 2015 | "Other investors include seven-time NBA All-Star Grant Hill, who will serve as Vice Chair of the Board, Townsquare Media Chair and CEO Steven Price, Clayton Dubilier & Rice partner Rick Schnall, and Spanx founder Sara Blakely and Marquis Jet co-founder Jesse Itzler, who are married"