Priority Sports and Entertainment
Encyclopedia
Priority Sports and Entertainment is a full service sports management firm, representing NFL and NBA athletes, based in Chicago, Illinois and Sherman Oaks, California.
Priority Sports is one of the largest independently owned sports agencies in America. It was founded in 1985 by Mark Bartelstein, when he quit his job as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley to become a sports agent. That year, Bartelstein set up a workspace in a small office behind a print shop in Chicago and began cold-calling people in the sports industry. The company has grown during the last 25 years and now represents clients in both the NBA and the NFL. Over the past two years, Priority Sports has negotiated more than $840 million in contract deals for free agent athletes in the NFL and NBA.
Since founding Priority Sports, Bartelstein has been rated as one of the most influential sports agents by Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal. Bartelstein first gained acclaim after negotiating the contract for NBA star John "Hot Rod" Williams because it made him the highest paid player in the history of team sports at the time.
, Priority Sports represented four athletes who were drafted in the First Round. This was more than any other agency.
Other NBA athletes Priority Sports represents include: Damion James
, Jordan Crawford
, Brad Miller
, Brian Grant
, Joe Crawford
, J.R. Giddens, Javaris Crittenton
, Charlie Bell
, Bobby Brown
, Bobby Simmons
, Will Bynum
, Mark Blount
, Brian Cardinal
, Michael Dickerson
, Trenton Hassell
, James Posey
, Charlie Bell
, Jannero Pargo
, and Darius Songaila
.
Other NFL athletes Priority Sports represents include: Arian Foster
, Nate Kaeding
, Koa Misi
, Mike Pollak
, Alterraun Verner
, Sean Lee
, and Jason Jones
, Kyle Kosier
, Dominic Raiola
, Isaac Sopoaga
, Madieu Williams
, Kris Dielman
, Tony Pashos
, Alan Faneca
, Luis Castillo
.
Priority Sports is one of the largest independently owned sports agencies in America. It was founded in 1985 by Mark Bartelstein, when he quit his job as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley to become a sports agent. That year, Bartelstein set up a workspace in a small office behind a print shop in Chicago and began cold-calling people in the sports industry. The company has grown during the last 25 years and now represents clients in both the NBA and the NFL. Over the past two years, Priority Sports has negotiated more than $840 million in contract deals for free agent athletes in the NFL and NBA.
Since founding Priority Sports, Bartelstein has been rated as one of the most influential sports agents by Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal. Bartelstein first gained acclaim after negotiating the contract for NBA star John "Hot Rod" Williams because it made him the highest paid player in the history of team sports at the time.
Player Agents
The company has represented more than 20 First Round NBA Draft picks. In the 2010 NBA Draft2010 NBA Draft
The 2010 NBA Draft was held on June 24, 2010 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The draft, which started at 7:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time , was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur...
, Priority Sports represented four athletes who were drafted in the First Round. This was more than any other agency.
Athletes
Priority Sports represents the following NBA athletes:- David LeeDavid Lee (basketball)David Lee is an American professional basketball player who is a power forward and center for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association . He played college basketball for the University of Florida and was selected by the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2005 NBA...
(Golden State WarriorsGolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
) In 2010, Lee agreed to a sign and trade that moved him from the New York KnicksNew York KnicksThe New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
to the Warriors with a contract worth $80,000,000 over six years. - Danny GrangerDanny GrangerDanny Granger, Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the NBA. He is mainly a small forward, though he does log time at the power forward position. He is also able to initiate the team's offense and so is regarded as one who can play the point forward position...
(Indiana PacersIndiana PacersThe Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
) The 17th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft2005 NBA DraftThe 2005 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 2005 in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues...
, in 2008 Granger signed a five-year, 100% guaranteed contract extension with the Pacers worth $64,000,000. - Mo WilliamsMo WilliamsMaurice "Mo" Williams is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association...
(Milwaukee BucksMilwaukee BucksThe Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
) In 2007, Williams signed a six-year, 100% guaranteed contract worth $52,000,000 with the Bucks before being traded to the Cleveland CavaliersCleveland CavaliersThe Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
in 2008. - Paul GeorgePaul George (basketball)Paul George is an American basketball player with the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association. George plays small forward, and was drafted by the Indiana Pacers as the 10th overall pick at the 2010 NBA Draft after playing two years with the Fresno State Bulldogs.-NBA:George signed...
(Indiana PacersIndiana PacersThe Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
) The 10th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft2010 NBA DraftThe 2010 NBA Draft was held on June 24, 2010 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The draft, which started at 7:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time , was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur...
, George signed a contract worth $11,000,000 over four years with the Pacers. - Gordon HaywardGordon HaywardGordon Daniel Hayward , is an American basketball player for the Utah Jazz. He played college basketball at Butler University in Indianapolis for two seasons before leaving for the NBA. Hayward emerged as a superstar in his sophomore year, leading his team to a runner-up finish in the 2010 NCAA...
(Utah JazzUtah JazzThe Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
) The 11th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft2010 NBA DraftThe 2010 NBA Draft was held on June 24, 2010 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The draft, which started at 7:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time , was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur...
, Hayward signed a $11,000,000 contract over four years with the Jazz.
Other NBA athletes Priority Sports represents include: Damion James
Damion James
Damion Marquez Williams James is an American professional basketball player for the New Jersey Nets of the NBA...
, Jordan Crawford
Jordan Crawford
Jordan Lee Crawford is an American basketball player who currently plays for the Washington Wizards. He played collegiately at Indiana University and then Xavier University. His brother is Joe Crawford II, who has also played professional basketball...
, Brad Miller
Brad Miller (basketball)
Bradley Alan Miller is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA...
, Brian Grant
Brian Grant
Brian Wade Grant is a retired American basketball player. He played the power forward and center positions for five teams during 12 seasons in the National Basketball Association. He was known for his tenacious rebounding and blue-collar defense...
, Joe Crawford
Joe Crawford
Joseph "Joey" Crawford has been an American professional basketball referee in the National Basketball Association since 1977 and wears the uniform number 17. Crawford is one of the most experienced officials in the NBA and has developed a reputation for being eager to assess technical fouls...
, J.R. Giddens, Javaris Crittenton
Javaris Crittenton
Javaris Cortez Crittenton is an American professional basketball player who has most recently played for the Dakota Wizards of the NBA D-League. He was previously the starting point guard for the Georgia Tech men's basketball team....
, Charlie Bell
Charlie Bell
Charles Hamilton Bell AO was an Australian business executive. He served as president of the American-based fast-food chain McDonald's from December 2002, and additionally as chief executive officer from April to November 2004...
, Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown
Robert Barisford "Bobby" Brown is an American R&B singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, and dancer. After success in pop group New Edition, Brown began his solo career in 1987 and had a string of Top 10 Billboard hits, culminating in a Grammy Award. He was a pioneer of New Jack Swing music, a...
, Bobby Simmons
Bobby Simmons
Bobby Simmons is an American professional basketball player.-College career:Simmons played three years of college basketball for DePaul University...
, Will Bynum
Will Bynum
William "Will" Bynum is an American professional basketball player for the Detroit Pistons in the NBA. He plays the point guard position.-Early life and college career:...
, Mark Blount
Mark Blount
Mark D. Blount is an American professional basketball player. Blount is a 7'0" tall center and weighs 250 lb , being a primarily offensive big man with a soft touch....
, Brian Cardinal
Brian Cardinal
Brian Lee Cardinal , nicknamed "The Custodian" or "The Janitor", is an American professional basketball player. Prior to being drafted to the NBA, Cardinal played college basketball at Purdue University.-1991–1995:...
, Michael Dickerson
Michael Dickerson
Michael DeAngelo Dickerson is an American professional basketball player who was a member of the Houston Rockets and Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA. He is a cousin of former NBA guard David Wesley....
, Trenton Hassell
Trenton Hassell
Trenton Lavar Hassell is an American professional basketball player who formerly played in the NBA. He earned a reputation for being one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders...
, James Posey
James Posey
James Mikely Mantell Posey, Jr. is an American professional basketball player, currently a small forward for the Indiana Pacers of the NBA.-Early life:...
, Charlie Bell
Charlie Bell
Charles Hamilton Bell AO was an Australian business executive. He served as president of the American-based fast-food chain McDonald's from December 2002, and additionally as chief executive officer from April to November 2004...
, Jannero Pargo
Jannero Pargo
Jannero Pargo is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls.-College career:Graduating from Paul Robeson High School at Chicago in 1998, Pargo played collegiately for the University of Arkansas after transferring from Neosho County Community College in Chanute, Kansas in...
, and Darius Songaila
Darius Songaila
Darius Songaila is a Lithuanian professional basketball player. He is also a member of the Lithuania national team. He can play power forward and center positions. He currently plays for Galatasaray Medical Park in Turkey....
.
Contract Advisors
Priority Sports has worked with NFL athletes for over twenty years. In addition to Bartelstein, Kenny Zuckerman, Rick Smith works as a contract advisor for the company.Athletes
Priority Sports represents the following NFL athletes:- Robert GalleryRobert Gallery-Oakland Raiders:In 2004, he started 15 games at right tackle and gave up 3 sacks. In 2005, he started all 16 games at right tackle and gave up 3.5 sacks. The Raiders moved him to left tackle at the beginning of the 2006 preseason...
(Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) The second pick in the 2004 NFL Draft2004 NFL DraftThe 2004 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 24-25, 2004 at the theater at Madison Square Garden...
, Gallery signed a seven-year contract worth $60,000,000 and an $18,000,000 signing bonus. - Tyson AlualuTyson Alualu-Jacksonville Jaguars:On August 2, 2010, Alualu signed a five-year deal with the Jaguars. The contract includes $17.5 million guaranteed and a total value of roughly $28 million.-2010 season:...
(Jacksonville JaguarsJacksonville JaguarsThe Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) The tenth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft2010 NFL DraftThe 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
, Alualu signed a five-year contract worth nearly $28,000,000 including over $17,000,000 in guaranteed money. - Levi JonesLevi JonesLevi J. Jones is an American football offensive tackle for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals 10th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona State.-College career:Jones attended Arizona State University...
(Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
) A 2002 1st Round Pick, signed a six-year contract extension worth $40,095,000, including $16,295,000 in guaranteed money. - Kurt WarnerKurt WarnerKurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
(Arizona CardinalsArizona CardinalsThe Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
) (retired) The 1999 and 2001 [NFL MVP], [Super Bowl XXXIV] Winner & MVP signed a two-year contract worth $24,000,000 with $19,000,000 guaranteed. - AJ Hawk (Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
) The fifth pick in the 2006 NFL Draft2006 NFL DraftThe 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
, signed a six-year contract worth $40,000,000 with over $15,000,000 in guaranteed money. - Jake DelhommeJake DelhommeJake Christopher Delhomme is an American football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Delhomme played college football at Louisiana-Lafayette before being signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 1997...
(Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) A 2005 Pro Bowl quarterback, Delhomme was released by the Carolina Panthers in 2010, and then signed a two-year deal worth $12,500,000 with the Browns during free agency. Because of contract language that was in his deal with Carolina, the Panthers still had to pay him $12,700,000 in guaranteed money, bringing his 2010 salary to a total of $19,700,000. - Joe StaleyJoe StaleyJoe Staley is an American football offensive lineman for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the 1st round of the 2007 NFL Draft. The 49ers traded their first round pick in 2008 for Staley with the New England Patriots. He was the second 49er taken in the...
(San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
) A first round pick in 2007, Staley signed a six-year contract extension worth $42,000,000 with $18,000,000 guaranteed after playing two years of his initial rookie contract. - Haloti NgataHaloti Ngata-Baltimore Ravens:Ngata decided to leave Oregon a year early because his mother, 'Ofa, was in the early stages of kidney dialysis. She died from her illness on January 13, 2006....
(Baltimore RavensBaltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
) The 12th Pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, signed a five-year contract worth $14,000,000 with over $9,000,000 in guaranteed money. - Olin KreutzOlin KreutzOlin George Kreutz is an American football center who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football for Washington.Kreutz has also played for the New Orleans Saints....
(Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
) A perennial Pro Bowler, Kreutz signed a three-year contract extension for $25,000,000 with a $9,000,000 signing bonus. - Kevin MawaeKevin MawaeKevin James Mawae is a former American National Football League center. During a 16-year football career, he played for the Seattle Seahawks , New York Jets , and the Tennessee Titans . Mawae was a four-year starter for LSU and was selected second-team All-SEC by Associated Press and SEC coaches...
(Tennessee TitansTennessee TitansThe Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
) Currently serves as the President of the National Football League Players Association.
Other NFL athletes Priority Sports represents include: Arian Foster
Arian Foster
Arian Foster , is an American football running back for the Houston Texans. He was signed by the Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and was added to their active roster from the practice squad on November 17, 2009. He played college football at Tennessee...
, Nate Kaeding
Nate Kaeding
Nathaniel James Kaeding is an American football placekicker who plays for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chargers in the 2004 NFL Draft in the 3rd round with a pick acquired from the Phillip Rivers-Eli Manning trade. He played college football at Iowa...
, Koa Misi
Koa Misi
-Miami Dolphins:On September 19, 2010—Misi's second career game in the NFL—he recovered a Brett Favre fumble in the endzone for a touchdown giving the Dolphins a 14-0 lead. Misi also had two tackles, helping the Dolphins to go 2-0 on the season.-External links:**...
, Mike Pollak
Mike Pollak
Michael David Pollak is an American football guard for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona State.-Early years:Pollak graduated Corona del Sol High School in Tempe,...
, Alterraun Verner
Alterraun Verner
Alterraun Ennis Verner is an American football cornerback. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles. Verner was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the 2010 NFL Draft...
, Sean Lee
Sean Lee
Sean Patrick Lee is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Penn State.-Early life:...
, and Jason Jones
Jason Jones
Jason Jones may refer to:* Jason Jones , Welsh professional footballer* Jason Jones , Daily Show television correspondent...
, Kyle Kosier
Kyle Kosier
Kyle Blaine Kosier is an American football guard for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.He was originally selected with the 37th pick of the seventh round of the 2002 NFL Draft out of Arizona State University. He has also played for the Detroit Lions and the San Francisco...
, Dominic Raiola
Dominic Raiola
Dominic Raiola is an American football center with the Detroit Lions; his younger brother, Donovan Raiola, plays center for the Washington Redskins.-High school career:...
, Isaac Sopoaga
Isaac Sopoaga
-San Francisco 49ers:He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 4th round in the 2004 NFL Draft. Sopoaga missed the entire 2004 season with an injury.In 2008, the 49ers have stated that they will use Sopoaga as a defensive end...
, Madieu Williams
Madieu Williams
Madieu Mohammed Williams is an American football safety for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
, Kris Dielman
Kris Dielman
Kristopher M. Dielman is an American football guard who currently plays for the San Diego Chargers.-High school and college career:...
, Tony Pashos
Tony Pashos
Anthony "Tony" George Pashos is an American football offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Illinois.Pashos has also played for the Cologne Centurions,...
, Alan Faneca
Alan Faneca
Alan Joseph Faneca, Jr. is a former American football guard in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers 26th overall in the 1998 NFL Draft and played college football for Louisiana State....
, Luis Castillo
Luis Castillo
Luis Castillo may refer to:*Luis Castillo , defensive end*Luis Castillo , Major League Baseball infielder*Luis Castillo , boxer from Ecuador*Luis Castillo , Singer of SANLUIS from Venezuela....
.