Sports agent
Encyclopedia
A sports agent procures and negotiates employment and endorsement
contracts for an athlete.
In return, the sports agent generally receives between 4 and 10% of the athlete's playing contract, and 10 to 20% of the athlete's endorsement contract, though these figures vary. An NFL agent is not allowed to receive more than 3% of his client's playing contract, and an NBA agent is not permitted to receive more than 4% of his client's playing contract.
matters for their clients. In some large sports agencies, such as IMG, Creative Artists Agency, and Octagon
, agents deal with all aspects of a client's finances, from investment to filing taxes.
Sports agents may be relied upon by their clients for guidance in all business aspects, and sometimes even more broadly. For example, hockey agents start recruiting clients as young as 15, allowing the agent to guide the athlete's career before the NHL
draft
, which happens usually at 18 years of age. BUR.
Due to the length and complexity of contracts, many sports agents are lawyers or have a background in contract law. Agents are expected to be knowledgeable about finance, business management, and financial and risk analysis, as well as sports. It is important for a sports agent to follow trends in sports. Other skills an agent must possess are excellent communication and negotiation skills. Agents must be highly motivated, willing to work long hours, and have the ability to multitask. It is very common for agents to be in negotiations on behalf of several clients at one time.
Some agents are part of large companies, and some are on their own. The number of clients an individual agent can handle and how many clients his or her employing agency can handle in total are interdependent variables. i love balls not
Before the 1990s, most soccer players did not use agents. In some cases, they used their fathers as agents. Due to most parents' naivete about the football business, these young footballers were often given less-than-stellar contracts by football clubs, which yielded lower salaries than they thought they deserved. In Sweden, there were only three licensed agents in 1995. As of 2002, there were 33. According to FIFA
, there were 5,187 licensed association football agents world-wide, with 600 agents in Italy alone. Since 2001, agents have not been licensed by FIFA. Instead, agents are now licensed directly by each association.
, which stars a talent agent
named Ari Gold
, and Arliss
, have help glamorize the profession. Prior to that, movies such as Jerry Maguire
, Two for the Money
, and Any Given Sunday
depicted sports agents. In England, ITV's Footballers' Wives
put a new spin on sports agents by casting a no-holds-barred female agent Hazel Bailey
.
Due to the popularity of these works, there has been increase of attention in the profession. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair
's son decided to become a football agent.
Testimonial
In promotion and of advertising, a testimonial or show consists of a written or spoken statement, sometimes from a person figure, sometimes from a private citizen, extolling the virtue of some product. The term "testimonial" most commonly applies to the sales-pitches attributed to ordinary...
contracts for an athlete.
In return, the sports agent generally receives between 4 and 10% of the athlete's playing contract, and 10 to 20% of the athlete's endorsement contract, though these figures vary. An NFL agent is not allowed to receive more than 3% of his client's playing contract, and an NBA agent is not permitted to receive more than 4% of his client's playing contract.
Role
A sports agent helps market athletes or products associated with that athlete to promote an athlete's career. Agents are responsible for communications with team owners, managers, coaches, and other individuals. Primarily, agents are used to broker and negotiate contracts for their clients. Also, they are responsible for making recommendations in regards to the athlete's options. In addition to finding income sources, agents often handle public relationsPublic relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
matters for their clients. In some large sports agencies, such as IMG, Creative Artists Agency, and Octagon
Octagon (Sports Agency)
Octagon is the global sports and entertainment content marketing arm of the Interpublic Group of Companies -History:In 1970 Donald Dell, Frank Craighill, Lee Fentress and Ray Benton founded the Washington D.C. law firm, Dell, Craighill, Fentress & Benton, one of the first sports law and sports...
, agents deal with all aspects of a client's finances, from investment to filing taxes.
Sports agents may be relied upon by their clients for guidance in all business aspects, and sometimes even more broadly. For example, hockey agents start recruiting clients as young as 15, allowing the agent to guide the athlete's career before the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
draft
NHL Entry Draft
The NHL Entry Draft is an annual meeting in which every franchise of the National Hockey League systematically select the rights to available amateur ice hockey players who meet draft eligibility requirements...
, which happens usually at 18 years of age. BUR.
Due to the length and complexity of contracts, many sports agents are lawyers or have a background in contract law. Agents are expected to be knowledgeable about finance, business management, and financial and risk analysis, as well as sports. It is important for a sports agent to follow trends in sports. Other skills an agent must possess are excellent communication and negotiation skills. Agents must be highly motivated, willing to work long hours, and have the ability to multitask. It is very common for agents to be in negotiations on behalf of several clients at one time.
Some agents are part of large companies, and some are on their own. The number of clients an individual agent can handle and how many clients his or her employing agency can handle in total are interdependent variables. i love balls not
Before the 1990s, most soccer players did not use agents. In some cases, they used their fathers as agents. Due to most parents' naivete about the football business, these young footballers were often given less-than-stellar contracts by football clubs, which yielded lower salaries than they thought they deserved. In Sweden, there were only three licensed agents in 1995. As of 2002, there were 33. According to FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
, there were 5,187 licensed association football agents world-wide, with 600 agents in Italy alone. Since 2001, agents have not been licensed by FIFA. Instead, agents are now licensed directly by each association.
Media depictions
The popularity of television shows such as EntourageEntourage (TV series)
Entourage is an American comedy-drama television series that premiered on HBO on July 18, 2004 and concluded on September 11, 2011, after eight seasons...
, which stars a talent agent
Talent agent
A talent agent, or booking agent, is a person who finds jobs for actors, authors, film directors, musicians, models, producers, professional athletes, writers and other people in various entertainment businesses. Having an agent is not required, but does help the artist in getting jobs...
named Ari Gold
Ari Gold (Entourage)
Ariel "Ari" Gold is a fictional character on the comedy-drama television series Entourage. He was played by Jeremy Piven.-Biography:Ari Gold is Vincent Chase's neurotic movie agent. He is a product of the public school system. He was an undergrad at Harvard University before earning his J.D./M.B.A....
, and Arliss
Arliss
-Criticism:This show, which ran for seven seasons, is a prime example of how HBO differs from traditional networks due to its nature as a network its viewers specifically pay to be able to watch. Arliss was cited by so many viewers as the sole reason that they paid for the network that its...
, have help glamorize the profession. Prior to that, movies such as Jerry Maguire
Jerry Maguire
Jerry Maguire is a 1996 American romantic comedy-drama film starring Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding, Jr. It was written, co-produced, and directed by Cameron Crowe...
, Two for the Money
Two for the Money (film)
Two for the Money is a 2005 film directed by D. J. Caruso, starring Al Pacino, Matthew McConaughey and Rene Russo. The film is about the world of sports gambling.-Plot:...
, and Any Given Sunday
Any Given Sunday
Any Given Sunday is a 1999 American drama film directed by Oliver Stone depicting a fictional professional American football team. The film features an ensemble cast, consisting of Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid, Jamie Foxx, James Woods, LL Cool J, Matthew Modine, John C...
depicted sports agents. In England, ITV's Footballers' Wives
Footballers' Wives
Footballers' Wives is a British television drama surrounding the fictional Premier League Association football club Earls Park F.C., its players, and their wives. It was broadcast on the ITV network from 8 January 2002 to 14 April 2006...
put a new spin on sports agents by casting a no-holds-barred female agent Hazel Bailey
Hazel Bailey
Hazel Bailey is a fictional character on ITV British drama Footballers' Wives, played by English actress Alison Newman. Hazel is a lesbian, and slept with Tanya Turner during the second season.-Season 1:...
.
Due to the popularity of these works, there has been increase of attention in the profession. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
's son decided to become a football agent.
American football
- Tom CondonTom CondonThomas Joseph Condon is an American football agent. He was named the most powerful agent in American football by Sporting News 2006, and heads the Football Division of Creative Artists Agency with fellow agent Ben Dogra....
: co-head of Creative Artists Agency (CAA) Football. Clients include Peyton ManningPeyton ManningPeyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
and Tony RomoTony RomoAntonio Ramiro "Tony" Romo is a professional American football quarterback in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys. Romo's career passer rating - at 95.8 - ranks third-best all time. Tony Romo didn't play in the regular season in 2003, 2004, or 2005...
. - James "Bus" CookJames "Bus" CookJames "Bus" Cook is an NFL sports agent.Some of Cooks' notable clients have included Brett Favre, Calvin Johnson, Randy Moss, Marcedes Lewis, Adalius Thomas, Jerious Norwood, Tony Scheffler, Jay Cutler, Cam Newton and the late Steve McNair.-Early Life:...
: Clients include Brett FavreBrett FavreBrett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons , Green Bay Packers , New York Jets and Minnesota...
, Jay CutlerJay Cutler (American football)Jay Christopher Cutler is a quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He played football at Vanderbilt University. Cutler began his professional football career with the Denver Broncos, who selected him as the 11th overall pick of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, and Calvin JohnsonCalvin Johnson (American football)Calvin Johnson, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Lions second overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia Tech....
. - Ben DograBen DograBen Dogra is an American sports agent who, until July, headed the Football Division of SFX Football, with associate Mark Heligman. Dogra graduated from George Mason University with a B.S. in Economics, then earned his law degree from St. Louis University School of Law. He previously founded his own...
: co-head of CAA Football. Clients include Adrian Peterson, Patrick WillisPatrick WillisPatrick L. Willis is an American football player who plays inside linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers 11th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft...
, and Joseph AddaiJoseph AddaiJoseph Addai, Jr. is an American football running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was selected in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Louisiana State University.-Early years:Addai's family hails from Ghana in West Africa...
. - Jason FletcherJason FletcherJason Fletcher is an American sports agent who works primarily with NFL players and coaches, but also represents athletes in other sports including baseball, basketball, and the UFC. A graduate of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Science...
: former player, partners with Fletcher SmithFletcher SmithFletcher Leon Smith is a former American football safety in the American Football League and National Football League. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round of the 1966 AFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee State.Smith also played for the Cincinnati Bengals....
. Clients include Gaines AdamsGaines AdamsGaines Adams was an American football defensive end in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round in the 2007 NFL Draft and in 2009 was traded to the Chicago Bears...
, Antonio CromartieAntonio CromartieAntonio Cromartie is an American football cornerback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers 19th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft...
, Lofa TatupuLofa Tatupu-Seattle Seahawks:Tatupu quickly established himself as one of the top defensive players in the league as a rookie in 2005, in which he was named to the Pro Bowl, while leading the NFC Champion Seahawks in tackles, with 104, en route to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history...
, Clinton PortisClinton PortisClinton Earl Portis is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
, and Donovan McNabbDonovan McNabbDonovan Jamal McNabb is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback from 1999 to 2009 and spent the 2010 season with the Washington Redskins and a portion of the 2011 season with the Minnesota Vikings. In college, McNabb played...
. - Bob LaMonteBob LaMonteBob LaMonte is an American sports agent who works primarily with National Football League coaches and management. He is the founder and president of Professional Sports Representation, Inc. LaMonte also represents college coaches and Major League Baseball and NFL players...
: founder and president of Professional Sports Representation. Clients include Mike HolmgrenMike HolmgrenMichael George Holmgren is a former professional football coach and current President of the Cleveland Browns. He served as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 1992 to 1998, and the Seattle Seahawks from 1999 to 2008...
, Brad ChildressBrad ChildressBrad "Chilly" Childress is the former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. He attended high school at the Marmion Academy in Aurora, Illinois...
, and Josh McDanielsJosh McDanielsJosh McDaniels is the former head coach of the Denver Broncos and currently the offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams. He previously served as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots...
. - Eugene E. ParkerEugene E. ParkerEugene Parker, born February 24, 1956 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is the sports agent of Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith, and many other NFL athletes. He has been named by Black Enterprise Magazines top 50 influential blacks in sports while also being known for the past two decades as owning one of the...
: negotiated the highest signing bonuses in NFL history for Emmitt SmithEmmitt SmithEmmitt James Smith, III is a retired American football player who was a running back in the National Football League for fifteen seasons during the 1990s and 2000s. Smith played college football for the University of Florida, where he was an All-American; thereafter, he played professionally for...
and Deion SandersDeion SandersDeion Luwynn Sanders , nicknamed "Prime Time" and "Neon Deion", is a former National Football League cornerback and Major League Baseball outfielder who currently works as an NFL Network analyst...
. Real-life inspiration for flamboyant character "Rod Tidwell" in the film Jerry MaguireJerry MaguireJerry Maguire is a 1996 American romantic comedy-drama film starring Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding, Jr. It was written, co-produced, and directed by Cameron Crowe...
. - John "JR" RickertJohn "JR" RickertJohn "JR" Rickert is an American sports agent who represents players in the National Football League, Major League Baseball, and the National Basketball Association, as well as boxers. He co-owns National Sports Management, a New York based sports agency, and is known for representing players...
: Clients include Joshua CribbsJoshua CribbsJoshua "Josh" Cribbs is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He played collegiately for Kent State University. He holds the NFL record with eight kickoff returns for touchdowns...
, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Kevin BurnettKevin BurnettKevin Bradley Burnett is an American football linebacker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee....
, and Mike PattersonMike PattersonMichael Antonio Patterson is an American football defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Eagles in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
. - Drew RosenhausDrew RosenhausDrew Rosenhaus is an American sports agent who represents professional football players. He owns the Miami-based sports agency, Rosenhaus Sports, and is known for using aggressive tactics on behalf of his clients who play in the National Football League.Rosenhaus currently represents approximately...
: Clients include Plaxico BurressPlaxico BurressPlaxico Antonio Burress is an American football wide receiver who currently plays for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers eighth overall in the 2000 NFL Draft...
and Trae Adidas Day. - Joel SegalJoel Segal (sports agent)Joel Segal is an American sports agent and the president of . Segal has used his law degree and background to become one of the most powerful sports agents in the world. In 2010 Segal was recognized as the 9th Most Powerful Sports Agent in America by Business Insider Law Review. In 2008 Segal was...
: president of BEST Football. Clients include Reggie BushReggie BushReginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, Santonio HolmesSantonio HolmesSantonio Holmes Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft after playing college football at Ohio State...
, and Chris JohnsonChris Johnson (running back)Christopher Duan Johnson is an American football running back for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League...
. - Leigh SteinbergLeigh SteinbergLeigh William Steinberg is an American sports agent and sports lawyer. His client list has included Steve Bartkowski, Steve Young, Troy Aikman, Warren Moon, Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas, Kordell Stewart, Jeff George, Ben Roethlisberger, Myron Rolle, Matt Leinart, Mark Brunell, Ricky Williams,...
: Clients include Troy AikmanTroy AikmanTroy Kenneth Aikman is a former American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League. The number one overall draft pick in 1989, Aikman played twelve consecutive seasons as quarterback with the Cowboys...
and Ben RoethlisbergerBen RoethlisbergerBenjamin Todd "Ben" Roethlisberger , nicknamed Big Ben, is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the first round in the 2004 NFL Draft...
. Real-life inspiration for fictional sports agent Jerry MaguireJerry MaguireJerry Maguire is a 1996 American romantic comedy-drama film starring Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding, Jr. It was written, co-produced, and directed by Cameron Crowe...
in the film of the same name (he has a cameo appearance in the movie).
Australian football
- Ricky NixonRicky NixonRicky L. Nixon is a former Australian rules footballer in the VFL/AFL and now a high profile Australian sports agent. He is currently serving a two year suspension following an investigation by the AFL Players Association Accreditation Board.-Football career:Recruited from Golden Square in the...
: former player, who was the AFL'sAustralian Football LeagueThe Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
first full-time player manager
Baseball
- Barry AxelrodBarry AxelrodBarry Axelrod is a sports agent from the United States.Axelrod, a graduate of UCLA Law School , is an attorney who specializes in sports, entertainment and business law. Axelrod has continually been active in many sports associations and fund raisers. He has served on the US Anti-Doping...
: Clients included Jeff BagwellJeff BagwellJeffrey Robert Bagwell , is a former American professional baseball player and coach. He played his entire fifteen-year Major League Baseball career as a first baseman for the Houston Astros and was a four-time All-Star...
, Craig BiggioCraig BiggioCraig Alan Biggio is a former Major League Baseball second baseman, catcher, and outfielder. He played his entire 20-year baseball career with the Houston Astros . He ranks 21st all-time with 3,060 career hits, and is the ninth player in the 3000 hit club to get all his hits with the same team. He...
, Rick Sutcliffe, and executive Kevin TowersKevin TowersKevin S. Towers is currently the general manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also served as the general manager of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres from 1995-2009.-Playing career:...
. - Scott BorasScott BorasScott Boras is an American sports agent, specializing in baseball. He is the founder, owner and president of the Boras Corporation, a sports agency based in Newport Beach, Calif. that represents roughly 175 professional baseball clients, including many of the game's highest-profile players...
: Clients include Alex RodriguezAlex RodriguezAlexander Emmanuel "Alex" Rodriguez is an American professional baseball third baseman with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. Known popularly by his nickname A-Rod, he previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered one of the best...
. - Casey CloseCasey CloseCasey Richard Close is a sports agent and former college baseball player.-University of Michigan:Close was born in Columbus, Ohio and attended the University of Michigan on a baseball scholarship. He played for the Michigan Wolverines baseball team from 1983 to 1986...
: Clients include Derek JeterDerek JeterDerek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...
and Ryan HowardRyan HowardRyan James Howard is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies. Nicknamed "The Big Piece", Howard stands and weighs . He bats and throws left-handed....
. - Greg GenskeGreg GenskeGregory B. Genske is a sports agent who became the lead agent of LS Legacy Sports Group after Jeff Moorad departed from the agency in 2004. Moorad elected to depart from the agency business so that he could become the CEO and part owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks...
: Successor in sports agency formerly run by Jeff MooradJeff MooradJeff Moorad is a former sports agent and is currently lead owner of the San Diego Padres and part-owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team.He is an Assyrian American...
(baseball) and Leigh SteinbergLeigh SteinbergLeigh William Steinberg is an American sports agent and sports lawyer. His client list has included Steve Bartkowski, Steve Young, Troy Aikman, Warren Moon, Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas, Kordell Stewart, Jeff George, Ben Roethlisberger, Myron Rolle, Matt Leinart, Mark Brunell, Ricky Williams,...
(football). - Randy HendricksRandy HendricksRandal "Randy" Hendricks is an American attorney and sports agent considered a pioneer in the field of sports representation. He was raised in Westwood, Kansas and is a 1963 graduate of Shawnee Mission North High School...
: Partnered with his brother, Allan; they sold their firm to SFX (now Live NationLive NationLive Nation is a live-events company based in Beverly Hills, California, focused on concert promotions. Live Nation formed in 2005 as a spin-off from Clear Channel Communications, which then merged with Ticketmaster in 2010 to become Live Nation Entertainment....
), and bought it back again. - Joe KehoskieJoe KehoskieJoe Kehoskie is an American sports agent who represents baseball players. He has worked in professional baseball in a variety of capacities since 1984.- Early life :...
: Small agency; frequently quoted by media regarding Cuban defectorsCuban exileThe term "Cuban exile" refers to the many Cubans who have sought alternative political or economic conditions outside the island, dating back to the Ten Years' War and the struggle for Cuban independence during the 19th century...
and baseball in Latin AmericaLatin AmericaLatin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
. - Bo McKinnisBo McKinnisBo McKinnis is a Major League Baseball sports agent. He was a student manager of the baseball team at Mississippi State University. While attending graduate business school at Vanderbilt University, he was asked by a Mississippi State teammate, Pete Young , to serve as his sports agent...
: Clients include David Price. - Jim Munsey: Clients include Sam FuldSam FuldSamuel Babson "Sam" Fuld is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball....
, Jarrod SaltalamacchiaJarrod SaltalamacchiaJarrod Scott Saltalamacchia , nicknamed "Salty" is an American professional baseball catcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.His last name is the longest in Major League Baseball history...
, and Sean BurnettSean BurnettSean Richard Burnett is a relief pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round in 2000 after leading Wellington High School to a 6A State Title in his senior year.Known for his change-up, remarkable control, presence,...
. - John "JR" Rickert: Clients include Nyjer Morgan
- Matt SosnickMatt SosnickMatt Sosnick is a San Francisco-based sports agent. He attended Burlingame High School and the University of Southern California. His business partner is Paul Cobbe...
: Clients include Dontrelle WillisDontrelle WillisDontrelle Wayne Willis , nicknamed "The D-Train", is an American professional baseball pitcher. Willis is notable for his success during his first few years in the league and for his unconventional pitching style, which includes a high leg kick and exaggerated twisting away from the batter...
. Sosnick is subject of the book License to Deal by Jerry CrasnickJerry CrasnickJerry Crasnick is a sports writer, currently covering baseball for the sports website ESPN.com. He began his career working for the Biddeford Journal Tribune in Maine, as well as the Portland Press Herald. In 1988 he served as the beat writer for The Cincinnati Post where he covered the Cincinnati...
. - Arn TellemArn TellemArn H. Tellem is a sports agent notable for his representation of basketball and baseball players. He is the principal of WMG Management, a part of the Wasserman Media Group headed by Casey Wasserman. Since 2009 he has written a weekly sports column for The Huffington Post...
: Clients have included Albert BelleAlbert BelleAlbert Jojuan Belle is a former American Major League Baseball outfielder for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, and Baltimore Orioles...
, Mike MussinaMike MussinaMichael Cole Mussina , nicknamed Moose, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played for the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees ....
, and Chase UtleyChase UtleyChase Cameron Utley is a second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball. A native of the Greater Los Angeles area, he was raised in the city of Long Beach. He was a star baseball player at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, before moving on to UCLA...
. Also a basketball agent (see below). - Joe UrbonJoe UrbonJoseph Curtis Urbon is a sports agent and former professional baseball player. He is a Co-Head of Baseball at CAA Sports...
: Clients include Jason BayJason BayJason Raymond Bay is a Canadian professional baseball player. An outfielder, he currently plays for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball...
and Grady SizemoreGrady SizemoreGradius "Grady" Sizemore III is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
.
Basketball
- Mark Bartelstein (see also Priority Sports and EntertainmentPriority Sports and EntertainmentPriority Sports and Entertainment is a full service sports management firm, representing NFL and NBA athletes, based in Chicago, Illinois and Sherman Oaks, California....
): Basketball and football agent. Clients have included 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...
and 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...
. - Bill Duffy: Clients include Rajon RondoRajon RondoRajon Pierre Rondo is an American professional basketball player who plays point guard for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association . Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Rondo attended Eastern High School and Oak Hill Academy for his high-school basketball career, before receiving a...
, Brandon JenningsBrandon JenningsBrandon Jennings is an American professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association who plays at point guard....
, Yao MingYao MingYao Ming is a retired Chinese professional basketball player who last played for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association...
, Carmelo AnthonyCarmelo AnthonyCarmelo Kiyan Anthony , nicknamed "Melo", is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association...
, and Steve NashSteve NashStephen John "Steve" Nash, OC, OBC is a South African-born Canadian professional basketball player who plays point guard for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association . Nash enjoyed a successful high-school basketball career, and he was eventually given a scholarship by Santa Clara...
. - David FalkDavid FalkDavid B. Falk is an American sports agent who primarily works with basketball players in the National Basketball Association. Falk began his career representing professional tennis players for Donald Dell's ProServ and is best known for representing sports icon Michael Jordan for the entirety of...
: Clients have included Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, Patrick EwingPatrick EwingPatrick Aloysius Ewing Sr. is a Jamaican-American retired Hall of Fame basketball player and current assistant coach for the National Basketball Association's Orlando Magic. He played most of his career with the NBA's New York Knicks as their starting center and played briefly with the Seattle...
, Allen IversonAllen IversonAllen Ezail Iverson is an American professional basketball point guard and shooting guard. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the number one pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in the 1996–97 season...
, and Dikembe MutomboDikembe MutomboDikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo , commonly referred to as Dikembe Mutombo, is a retired Congolese American professional basketball player who last played for the Houston Rockets of the NBA...
. In the 1990s he was generally considered the most influential player agent in the NBA, but is now semi-retired. - Dan FeganDan FeganDan Fegan is a prominent NBA agent. He is a graduate of Yale Law School and operates out of a Los Angeles law firm. His first client was Chris Dudley, a friend from Yale.-References:* Abbott, Henry . Accessed October 2011....
: Yale Law SchoolYale Law SchoolYale Law School, or YLS, is the law school of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Established in 1824, it offers the J.D., LL.M., J.S.D. and M.S.L. degrees in law. It also hosts visiting scholars, visiting researchers and a number of legal research centers...
graduate noted for creating several nuances in the most recently expired NBANational Basketball AssociationThe National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
Collective Bargaining Agreement. Clients include John WallJohn Wall (basketball)Johnathan Hildred Wall, Jr. is an American basketball player with the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association. Wall was chosen first overall in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Wizards...
, Dwight HowardDwight HowardDwight David Howard is an American basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association . Howard, who usually plays center but can also play power forward, had an outstanding high school career at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy...
, and Ricky RubioRicky RubioRicard "Ricky" Rubio Vives is a Spanish professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association . Rubio became the youngest player ever to play in the Spanish ACB League on October 15, 2005, at age 14...
. - Aaron GoodwinAaron GoodwinAaron Goodwin is a sports agent who represents players in the National Basketball Association and Women's National Basketball Association. He was the initial agent for LeBron James, and negotiated endorsement deals paying James over $135 million, including a $90 million deal with Nike. James...
: Clients included LeBron JamesLeBron JamesLeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association . Nicknamed "King James", he was a three-time "Mr. Basketball" of Ohio in high school, and was highly promoted in the national media as a future NBA superstar while a...
, and his record $90,000,000 NikeNike, Inc.Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
deal, before being terminated for agent Leon RoseLeon RoseLeon Rose is an attorney and sports agent, based in New Jersey, near Philadelphia. He represents a number of prominent NBA players, including Allen Iverson and LeBron James....
. Goodwin now represents Candace ParkerCandace ParkerCandace Nicole Parker is an All-American basketball player for the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks and is also the younger sister of NBA player Anthony Parker. She was drafted to the team from Tennessee in 2008...
. - Rob PelinkaRob PelinkaRobert Todd Pelinka, Jr. is an American lawyer, National Basketball Association sports agent and former college basketball player from Lake Bluff, Illinois . He is best known as Kobe Bryant's agent and President and CEO of The Landmark Sports Agency, LLC...
: Former basketball player at the University of MichiganMichigan Wolverines men's basketballThe Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing the University of Michigan. The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Wolverines play home basketball games at the...
. Clients include Kobe BryantKobe BryantKobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
and Carlos BoozerCarlos BoozerCarlos Austin Boozer, Jr. is an American professional basketball player with the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association...
. - Arn TellemArn TellemArn H. Tellem is a sports agent notable for his representation of basketball and baseball players. He is the principal of WMG Management, a part of the Wasserman Media Group headed by Casey Wasserman. Since 2009 he has written a weekly sports column for The Huffington Post...
: Clients include Tracy McGradyTracy McGradyTracy Lamar McGrady, Jr., is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Detroit Pistons.Entering the league after graduating from high school, McGrady eventually became a seven-time All-Star. He led the league in scoring in 2003 and 2004. He has also played for the Toronto...
, Jermaine O'NealJermaine O'NealJermaine Lee O'Neal is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics. The 6 ft 11 in , 255 lb forward-center had a successful high school career and declared his eligibility for the 1996 NBA Draft straight out of high school...
, Pau GasolPau GasolPau Gasol Sáez is a Spanish professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . He was born to Marisa Sáez and Agustí Gasol, and he spent his childhood in Spain...
, and Joe JohnsonJoe Johnson (basketball)Joe Marcus Johnson is an American professional basketball player, currently a member of the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA. Johnson stands at 6'7" and 240 lbs ....
. His clients' total salaries in 2007–08 season added up to more than $210 million, making him number 1 in total client salaries in the NBA.
Cricket
- Neil FairbrotherNeil FairbrotherNeil Fairbrother is a former English cricket player, named by his mother after her favourite player, the Australian cricketer Neil Harvey. He was educated at Lymm High School....
: Former England cricket player, now Director of Cricket at International Sports ManagementInternational Sports ManagementInternational Sports Management Limited is a sports management agency based in Cheshire, England that represents leading figures from the sports of golf and cricket. It was founded in 1989 by former European Tour golfer Andrew "Chubby" Chandler...
. Clients include: Andrew FlintoffAndrew FlintoffAndrew "Freddie" Flintoff MBE is a former English cricketer who played for Lancashire County Cricket Club, England and the Indian Premier League team Chennai Super Kings. A tall fast bowler, batsman and slip fielder, Flintoff according to the ICC rankings was consistently rated amongst the top...
, Marcus TrescothickMarcus TrescothickMarcus Edward Trescothick MBE is an English cricketer. He plays first-class cricket for Somerset County Cricket Club, and represented England in 76 Test matches and 123 One Day Internationals. A left-handed opening batsman, he made his first-class debut for Somerset in 1993 and quickly established...
, Steve HarmisonSteve HarmisonStephen James Harmison MBE is an English cricketer. Primarily a fast bowler, he represented England in 63 Tests, 58 ODI's, and 2 T20's. He also plays county cricket for Durham....
, and Graham OnionsGraham OnionsGraham Onions is an English cricketer. He plays for Durham and England as a right arm fast-medium bowler and a right-hand tail-end batsman. After a successful start to the 2009 cricket season, Onions was selected to face the West Indies in Test cricket, and following success in the series, was...
.
European basketball
- Craig McKenzie: American basketball agent. Worked for Eugene E. ParkerEugene E. ParkerEugene Parker, born February 24, 1956 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is the sports agent of Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith, and many other NFL athletes. He has been named by Black Enterprise Magazines top 50 influential blacks in sports while also being known for the past two decades as owning one of the...
on Deion SandersDeion SandersDeion Luwynn Sanders , nicknamed "Prime Time" and "Neon Deion", is a former National Football League cornerback and Major League Baseball outfielder who currently works as an NFL Network analyst...
. Clients included three-sport athlete Charlie WardCharlie WardCharlie Ward, Jr. is a retired American professional NBA basketball player, college football Heisman Trophy winner, Davey O'Brien Award winner and a Major League Baseball draftee. Ward is considered one of the best all-around athletes in the last quarter century...
, Marcus BrownMarcus BrownMarcus James Brown is a retired American professional basketball player. At 6'4" , he played as a shooting guard. Brown has been mentioned as being one of the top U.S. athletes to ever play abroad...
, JR Bremer, and Mire ChatmanMire ChatmanMire De Juan Chatman is an American professional basketball player. He currently plays for Pınar Karşıyaka. The 1.87 m point guard is a Texas Pan American University alumnus.-Pro career:...
.
Association football
- Jorge MendesJorge MendesJorge Paulo Agostinho Mendes is a Portuguese football agent. He is registered with the football association of Portugal and heads the GestiFute company, founded in 1996...
: Portuguese agent. Founder of GestiFuteGestiFuteGestiFute full name Gestão de Carreiras de Profissionais Desportivos S.A. is a Portuguese company. It provides agent services for footballers...
. Clients include FalcaoRadamel FalcaoRadamel Falcao García Zárate , commonly known simply as Falcao, is a Colombian football striker who currently plays for Atlético Madrid....
, AndersonAnderson Luís de Abreu OliveiraAnderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira , best known as Anderson, is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Brazil national team....
, QuaresmaRicardo QuaresmaRicardo Andrade Quaresma Bernardo is a Portuguese footballer of partial Romani descent who currently plays as a winger for Turkish Süper Lig side Beşiktaş J.K and the Portuguese national team. Quaresma began his career at Sporting Clube de Portugal, and has also played for FC Barcelona, FC Porto,...
, DecoDecoAnderson Luís de Souza, OIH , commonly known as Deco, is a Brazilian-born Portuguese professional footballer who currently plays for Fluminense....
, NaniNani-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
, Cristiano RonaldoCristiano RonaldoCristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, OIH, , commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and is the captain of the Portuguese national team...
, and José MourinhoJosé MourinhoJosé Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho is a Portuguese football manager and the current manager of Real Madrid. He is commonly known as "The Special One".Mourinho is regarded by some players, coaches and critics as the best ever coach in football....
. - Paul StretfordPaul StretfordPaul Stretford is an English football agent. In 1987 he founded Proactive Sports Management, renamed Formation Group in 2004, which went on to represent, amongst others, England footballer Wayne Rooney...
: English agent. Clients include Wayne RooneyWayne RooneyWayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
. Set up Triple S Sports Entertainment Group in 2009 after leaving Proactive Sports, which he originally established. - Pini ZahaviPini ZahaviPinhas "Pini" Zahavi is a football agent who has been involved in some of the most expensive and controversial transfer episodes of recent times....
: IsraelIsraelThe State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i agent. Handled deals involving the transfers of TevezCarlos TévezCarlos Alberto Tévez is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for English club Manchester City...
, YakubuYakubu AiyegbeniYakubu Aiyegbeni , generally known simply as Yakubu, is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a striker for Blackburn Rovers and the Nigerian national football team. His nickname is "The Yak".-Early career:...
, and Rio FerdinandRio FerdinandRio Gavin Ferdinand is an English footballer. He plays at centre back for Manchester United in the Premier League and for the England national football team...
. - Peter Morrison: English agent and former player, now working for James Grant Sports Group. Credited with deals for Michael Johnson, Ali Al Habsi, and Cameron StewartCameron Stewart (footballer)Cameron Reece Stewart is an English footballer who plays for Hull City. He is played primarily as a winger, but he can also play as an out-and-out striker.-Manchester United:...
. - Milan CalasanMilan ĆalasanMilan Ćalasan is a retired Serbian football player.Ćalasan played for Red Star Belgrade, Olimpija Ljubljana and Dinamo Zagreb in the 1970s and 1980s before moving abroad and spending several seasons with Liège in Belgium and Rot-Weiss Essen in Germany.After retiring from football, Ćalasan became...
: Montenegrin agent. His agency (Mondialvas) represented Christian KarembeuChristian KarembeuChristian Karembeu is a retired French international footballer and current scout for Arsenal Football Club...
, manager Arsène WengerArsène WengerArsène Wenger, OBE is a French association football manager and former player, who has managed English Premier League side Arsenal since 1996...
, and Nikola ŽigićNikola ŽigicNikola Žigić is a Serbian footballer who plays for English club Birmingham City as a centre forward.At , Žigić is among the tallest professional players in the world...
. - Claes ElefalkClaes ElefalkClaes Elefalk is a Swedish sports agent at the Creative Artists Agency.- Career :Elefalk is a Swedish Sports agent whose representation include some high-profile athletes. From the early 1990s, Elefalk worked as an agent at IMG Sweden until 2006...
: Swedish agent. Clients include Freddie LjungbergFredrik LjungbergKarl Fredrik "Freddie" Ljungberg is a Swedish footballer who currently plays as a right winger for Shimizu S-Pulse in Japan. Ljungberg was captain of the Swedish national team until he announced his international retirement after UEFA Euro 2008.Ljungberg was a model for Calvin Klein underwear...
, Pontus FarnerudPontus FarnerudHans Pontus Farnerud is a Swedish footballer who plays for Stabæk Fotball in Norway, as a midfielder.His younger brother, Alexander, is also a Swedish international, and a midfielder.-Club career:...
, and Nils-Eric JohanssonNils-Eric JohanssonNils-Eric Claes "Nisse" Johansson is a Swedish football player who currently plays defender for AIK.Initially on the books at Bayern Munich, he moved to 1. FC Nuremberg in August 2000, before several clubs across Europe, including Blackburn Rovers, claimed special interest in the player...
, plus several NHL ice hockey players. - Roger LjungRoger LjungRoger Ljung is a retired Swedish footballer who played as a left defender.In a 10-year professional career, he played, other than in his country, in Switzerland, Austria, Turkey and Germany, representing six differents teams, namely Malmö and Admira Wacker.A Swedish international on nearly 60...
: Former Swedish International player, owns his own agency (Roger Ljung Promotion AB). Represented Freddie Ljungberg until 2006. Clients include Marcus AllbäckMarcus AllbäckMarcus Christian Allbäck , is a Swedish legend and coach, who currently is assistant coach for the Sweden national football team and plays as striker for the Division 1 Södra club Örgryte IS. He is a well-travelled striker known for his sharp finishing ability...
, Daniel Andersson, Patrik Andersson, Erik EdmanErik EdmanErik Edman, is a Swedish footballer, currently playing for Helsingborgs IF. He is a left back, but has also established himself as a centre back.-Early career:...
, Andreas IsakssonAndreas IsakssonAndreas Isaksson is a Swedish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Dutch club PSV Eindhoven and for the Swedish national team.-Club career:...
, Kim KällströmKim KällströmKim Källström is a left-footed Swedish midfielder playing for the Swedish national team and Olympique Lyonnais.-Early career:Källström's first professional club in Sweden was BK Häcken from Gothenburg but his big breakthrough in Sweden came when he moved to Djurgårdens IF in 2002, where he won the...
, Marcus LantzMarcus LantzMarcus Lantz is a Swedish professional footballer, who playsas a holding midfielder for Landskrona BoIS in the Superettan championship. He has played six matches for the Sweden national football team....
, and Teddy LučićTeddy LucicTeddy Mark Šime Lučić is a Swedish former football defender. His last club was IF Elfsborg.-Early years:Lučić was born on 15 April 1973 in Biskopsgården, Gothenburg to Croatian father, Krešimir, and Finnish mother, Annis. His father Krešimir was also a football player. In 1966, Krešimir moved to...
. - Martin DahlinMartin DahlinMartin Nathaniel Dahlin is a former Swedish football player.-Early life:He is the son of an Afro-Venezuelan father, who was a musician, and a Swedish mother who both decided to name him after Martin Luther King. He was born in Uddevalla, but lived as a child in Lund.-Career:In 1988, he became the...
: Former Swedish player; works for Roger Ljung Promotion AB - Dan Segal: US agent. Clients include Landon DonovanLandon DonovanLandon Timothy Donovan is an American soccer player for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer in the United States. He usually plays as a withdrawn forward, and can also be used as an attacking midfielder on either wing....
, Freddy AduFreddy AduFredua Koranteng "Freddy" Adu is a Ghanaian-born American soccer player who currently plays for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer. He plays primarily as an attacking midfielder, but he is also used as a winger or forward....
, Tim HowardTim HowardTimothy Matthew Howard is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for English club Everton and the United States national team....
, and Bobby ConveyBobby ConveyRobert Francis "Bobby" Convey is an American soccer player.-Youth:Convey attended the William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia, played club soccer for the Philadelphia Soccer Club Coppa, and was a member of the initial class of the Bradenton Academy that also included current national team...
. - Peppino TirriPeppino TirriPeppino Tirri is an Italian football agent registered with the football association of Italy.He is credited as being among the most powerful and influent football agents in the world, one of the only who transferred several Golden Balls winning stars such as Antonio Cassano, Walter Samuel...
: Italian agent. Clients include Wesley SneijderWesley SneijderWesley Sneijder is a Dutch footballer playing as an attacking midfielder for Internazionale. He was named UEFA midfielder of the season as well as one of the three best midfielders in the world for 2010 by FIFA....
, Luis FigoLuís FigoLuís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo, OIH, is a Portuguese former international footballer. He played as a midfielder for Sporting CP, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Internazionale, during a career which spanned over a period of 20 years. He retired from football on 31 May 2009...
, Esteban CambiassoEsteban CambiassoEsteban Matías Cambiasso Deleau , nicknamed "Cuchu" , is an Argentine football midfielder who plays for Italian Serie A club Internazionale....
, RivaldoRivaldoRivaldo Vítor Borba Ferreira , commonly known simply as Rivaldo , is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for São Paulo, on loan from Mogi Mirim, as an attacking midfielder and sometimes as a supporting striker.He most notably played five years with Spanish club FC Barcelona, with whom he...
, and Antonio CassanoAntonio CassanoAntonio Cassano is an Italian footballer who plays for Serie A club Milan as a striker. Nicknamed Il Gioiello di Bari Vecchia , he is known for his short temper as much as his ability on the pitch, which led to the coining of the neologism Cassanata by his former coach, Fabio Capello, in November...
. - Andrea D'AmicoAndrea D'Amico (football agent)Andrea D'Amico is an Italian football agent. He represented numbers of footballers. He was the Secretary-General of Italian Associazione Italiana Procuratori di Calcio ....
: Italian agent.
Golf
- Mark SteinbergMark SteinbergMark Steinberg is a sports agent who has been representing top golfers since 1992. He is currently a Partner at Excel Sports Management where he heads the professional golf division. Established in 2002, Excel Sports Management is a full-service sports management and marketing agency representing...
: Clients include Tiger WoodsTiger WoodsEldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods is an American professional golfer whose achievements to date rank him among the most successful golfers of all time. Formerly the World No...
; former head of golf division at IMGIMG (business)IMG, originally known as the International Management Group is a global sports and media business headquartered in New York City.-History:...
. - Andrew 'Chubby' ChandlerAndrew Chandler (golfer)Andrew "Chubby" Chandler is a retired English professional golfer and current Managing Director of Cheshire-based sports management firm ISM .-Golf career:...
: Former European Tour golfer. Clients include golfers Lee WestwoodLee WestwoodLee John Westwood OBE is an English professional golfer. Noted for his consistency, Westwood is one of the few golfers who has won tournaments on every major continent, including victories on the European Tour and the PGA Tour. He was named player of the year for the 1998, 2000, and 2009 seasons...
, Ernie ElsErnie ElsTheodore Ernest "Ernie" Els is a South African professional golfer, who has been one of the top professional players in the world since the mid-1990s. A former World No. 1, he is known as "The Big Easy" due to his imposing physical stature along with his fluid, seemingly effortless golf swing...
, Darren ClarkeDarren ClarkeDarren Christopher Clarke is a professional golfer from Northern Ireland who currently plays on the European Tour and has previously played on the PGA Tour. He has won 22 tournaments worldwide on a number of golf's main tours including the European Tour, the PGA Tour, the Sunshine Tour and the...
, Louis OosthuizenLouis OosthuizenLodewicus Theodorus "Louis" Oosthuizen is a South African professional golfer, who won the 2010 Open Championship.-Early life and career:...
, Charl SchwartzelCharl SchwartzelCharl Adriaan Schwartzel is a South African professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour, European Tour, and the Sunshine Tour. He won the 2011 Masters Tournament. Schwartzel's highest world ranking has been number seven, in May 2011....
, and Christina KimChristina KimChristina Kim is an American professional golfer currently playing on the LPGA Tour and on the Ladies European Tour . From San Jose, California, she is known for her animated style of play, flamboyant dress, and outgoing personaliity.Not long after her 18th birthday, Kim turned pro...
. Rory McIlroyRory McIlroyRory McIlroy is a Northern Irish professional golfer from Holywood in County Down. He has represented Europe, Great Britain & Ireland, and Ireland as both an amateur and a professional. He had a successful amateur career, topping the World Amateur Golf Ranking for one week as a 17-year-old in 2007...
was a client of Chandler until October 2011, when he left for Dublin-based Horizon Sports Management.
Ice hockey
- Ritch WinterRitch WinterRitch Winter is an ice hockey sports agent. Founder and CEO of The Sports Corporation, based in Edmonton, Winter represents over 70 National Hockey League players, including Marian Hossa, and Dominik Hasek.- Biography :Winter received a law degree from the University of Calgary in 1983...
: over 70 clients. - Gilles LupienGilles LupienGilles Lupien is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman.Lupien started his career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1977. He would also play with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Hartford Whalers. He would win two Stanley Cups with Montreal in 1978 and 1979...
: former NHL defencemanDefenceman (ice hockey)Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
; current Canadian ice hockey agent. Clients include Roberto LuongoRoberto LuongoRoberto Luongo is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . Born in Montreal, Quebec, he is of Italian and Irish ancestry. He employs the butterfly style of goaltending...
. - Don MeehanDon MeehanDonald E. Meehan is an influential National Hockey League Players' Association hockey player agent.- Early career :Meehan earned his bachelor's degree at Sir George Williams University...
: president of Newport Sports Management. Over 100 clients in the NHL, including Jarome IginlaJarome IginlaJarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . A six-time NHL All-Star, he is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis...
and Chris ProngerChris ProngerChristopher Robert Pronger is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Originally selected 2nd overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Pronger has played for Hartford, the St...
. - Tatiana Ovechkina, two-time basketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
gold medalist, is her son Alexander OvechkinAlexander OvechkinAlexander Mikhaylovich Ovechkin is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League...
's agent. She brokered a 13-year, $124 million contract.
Notable former sports agents
- Colleen HoweColleen HoweColleen Joffa Howe was a sports agent who founded Power Play International and Power Play Publications to manage the business interests of her husband, Hall of Fame hockey player Gordie Howe, as well as those of her sons Marty and Mark. She was married to Gordie for 55 years...
(deceased): ice hockey, late president of Power Play International and Power Play Publications managing hockey careers and business interests of her husband Gordie HoweGordie HoweGordon "Gordie" Howe, OC is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League , and the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association . Howe is often referred to as Mr...
and their sons MartyMarty HoweMarty Gordon Howe is a former professional ice hockey defenseman. Howe was drafted in the third round, 51st overall in the 1974 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. From 2001 to 2006, he was an assistant coach for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL...
and Mark HoweMark HoweMark Steven Howe is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League and 6 seasons in the World Hockey Association . He is the son of Colleen and Gordie Howe, and early in his career was a teammate of his father...
. - Camilo MarinCamilo MarinCamilo Marin was a Cuban-born jockey's agent who is widely regarded as one of horse racing's most successful agents....
(deceased): Cuban-born horse racing agent. Clients included Laffit Pincay, Jr.Laffit Pincay, Jr.Laffit Alejandro Pincay, Jr. is a flat racing's all-time winningest jockey. He competed primarily in the United States.-Career:...
, Braulio BaezaBraulio BaezaBraulio Baeza is an American Thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. He began racing in 1955 and in 1960, at the urging of agent Camilo Marin, moved to compete in the United States where at the Keeneland Race Course he won the very first he competed in.Braulio Baeza's success in America was...
, Jorge VelasquezJorge VelasquezJorge Velásquez is a thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey.Jorge Velasquez career in thoroughbred racing began in his native Panama but as a teenager moved to the United States...
, and Manuel YcazaManuel YcazaManuel Ycaza is a retired United States Racing Hall of Fame jockey who led the way for Latin American jockeys in the United States....
. - Mark McCormackMark McCormackMark Hume McCormack was an American lawyer, sports agent for professional athletes and a prolific writer...
(deceased): American golf agent, and principal originator of modern sports agency industry. First client was Arnold PalmerArnold PalmerArnold Daniel Palmer is an American professional golfer, who is generally regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men's professional golf. He has won numerous events on both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour, dating back to 1955...
. Founded IMG (originally "International Management Group"). - Jeff MooradJeff MooradJeff Moorad is a former sports agent and is currently lead owner of the San Diego Padres and part-owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team.He is an Assyrian American...
: Former baseball agent and former partner of Leigh SteinbergLeigh SteinbergLeigh William Steinberg is an American sports agent and sports lawyer. His client list has included Steve Bartkowski, Steve Young, Troy Aikman, Warren Moon, Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas, Kordell Stewart, Jeff George, Ben Roethlisberger, Myron Rolle, Matt Leinart, Mark Brunell, Ricky Williams,...
, now baseball executive and part-owner of San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. - Charles C. Pyle (deceased): American football; clients included Red GrangeRed GrangeHarold Edward "Red" Grange, nicknamed "The Galloping Ghost", was a college and professional American football halfback for the University of Illinois, the Chicago Bears, and for the short-lived New York Yankees. His signing with the Bears helped legitimize the National Football League...
and Wildcat WilsonWildcat WilsonGeorge "Wildcat" Wilson was an American football player, earning All-American honors as a halfback for the University of Washington Huskies.-Collegiate career:...
; founder of first American Football LeagueAmerican Football League (1926)The first American Football League , sometimes called AFL I, AFLG, or the Grange League, was a professional American football league that operated in 1926. It was the first major competitor to the National Football League. Founded by C. C...
(1926). - Gary WichardGary Wichard-Early life and football career:Wichard was Jewish, and was raised in Glen Cove, New York, and attended Glen Cove High School. He later lived in Westlake Village, California....
(deceased): American football, three dozen clients, the inspiration for the movie Jerry MaguireJerry MaguireJerry Maguire is a 1996 American romantic comedy-drama film starring Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding, Jr. It was written, co-produced, and directed by Cameron Crowe...
.
Sports agency groups
There have been some efforts to transform the sports agency business from an individual, entrepreneurial business, to more of a corporate structure. These experiments met with varying degrees of longevity and success.- Creative Artists Agency: "CAA" – acquired various pieces of the sports agency business of SFX (see below), starting with football.
- IMG – International Management Group – corporate agency established by entrepreneur Mark McCormackMark McCormackMark Hume McCormack was an American lawyer, sports agent for professional athletes and a prolific writer...
, originally with a specialization in golf and tennis. After the death of McCormack the company was acquired by private equityPrivate equityPrivate equity, in finance, is an asset class consisting of equity securities in operating companies that are not publicly traded on a stock exchange....
group Forstmann Little. - International Sports ManagementInternational Sports ManagementInternational Sports Management Limited is a sports management agency based in Cheshire, England that represents leading figures from the sports of golf and cricket. It was founded in 1989 by former European Tour golfer Andrew "Chubby" Chandler...
– British sports agency run by former European Tour golfer Andrew "Chubby" ChandlerAndrew Chandler (golfer)Andrew "Chubby" Chandler is a retired English professional golfer and current Managing Director of Cheshire-based sports management firm ISM .-Golf career:...
. - Octagon WorldwideOctagon (Sports Agency)Octagon is the global sports and entertainment content marketing arm of the Interpublic Group of Companies -History:In 1970 Donald Dell, Frank Craighill, Lee Fentress and Ray Benton founded the Washington D.C. law firm, Dell, Craighill, Fentress & Benton, one of the first sports law and sports...
– Full-service sports agency and event marketing group, traded with advertising and marketing companies in the Interpublic Group. - Priority Sports and EntertainmentPriority Sports and EntertainmentPriority Sports and Entertainment is a full service sports management firm, representing NFL and NBA athletes, based in Chicago, Illinois and Sherman Oaks, California....
- Agency representing the most NBA players, run by Mark Bartelstein. - Rosenhaus Sports- sports agency run by Drew RosenhausDrew RosenhausDrew Rosenhaus is an American sports agent who represents professional football players. He owns the Miami-based sports agency, Rosenhaus Sports, and is known for using aggressive tactics on behalf of his clients who play in the National Football League.Rosenhaus currently represents approximately...
. - Sports Management WorldwideSports Management WorldwideSports Management Worldwide is a sports agency and private for-profit sports management training institution based in Portland, Oregon. It is an accredited online Sports Management school and is certified by the Oregon Department of Education. SMWW offers online sports career training courses, and...
– (SMWW) – global sports agency founded by Dr. Lynn LashbrookLynn LashbrookLynn Lashbrook is an agent and educator. A former college athletic director and sports agent, Lynn Lashbrook – a Portland resident since 1996 – is founder and President of Sports Management Worldwide, a sports agency and an online sports career training school...
. - Wasserman Media GroupWasserman Media GroupFounded in 2002 by Casey Wasserman, Wasserman Media Group is a global sport and entertainment agency headquartered in Los Angeles. Wasserman primarily operates within the disciplines of athlete representation, property sales, action sports, and corporate and property consulting...
: acquired Arn TellemArn TellemArn H. Tellem is a sports agent notable for his representation of basketball and baseball players. He is the principal of WMG Management, a part of the Wasserman Media Group headed by Casey Wasserman. Since 2009 he has written a weekly sports column for The Huffington Post...
's basketball agency from SFX, and usually represents the most players in NBANational Basketball AssociationThe National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
lottery draft each year.
Formerly active agencies
Some sports agency firms were once prominent, but are now gone or reorganized:- Assante Corporation – Canadian public company that acquired the Steinberg, Moorad & Dunn agency, then acquired other agencies including Dan Fegan & Associates and Maximum Sports Management in an unsuccessful effort to build multi-sport corporate agency.
- SFX Entertainment (now Live NationLive NationLive Nation is a live-events company based in Beverly Hills, California, focused on concert promotions. Live Nation formed in 2005 as a spin-off from Clear Channel Communications, which then merged with Ticketmaster in 2010 to become Live Nation Entertainment....
, a publicly traded company) – in 1998 SFX agreed to pay up to $150 million in cash, stock, and bonuses for F.A.M.E., the sports agency run by David FalkDavid FalkDavid B. Falk is an American sports agent who primarily works with basketball players in the National Basketball Association. Falk began his career representing professional tennis players for Donald Dell's ProServ and is best known for representing sports icon Michael Jordan for the entirety of...
, the agent for basketball players Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
and Patrick EwingPatrick EwingPatrick Aloysius Ewing Sr. is a Jamaican-American retired Hall of Fame basketball player and current assistant coach for the National Basketball Association's Orlando Magic. He played most of his career with the NBA's New York Knicks as their starting center and played briefly with the Seattle...
. SFX also acquired two other major sports agencies, Arn TellemArn TellemArn H. Tellem is a sports agent notable for his representation of basketball and baseball players. He is the principal of WMG Management, a part of the Wasserman Media Group headed by Casey Wasserman. Since 2009 he has written a weekly sports column for The Huffington Post...
's agency (Tellem & Associates) and the baseball-oriented firm run by Randy HendricksRandy HendricksRandal "Randy" Hendricks is an American attorney and sports agent considered a pioneer in the field of sports representation. He was raised in Westwood, Kansas and is a 1963 graduate of Shawnee Mission North High School...
and Allan Hendricks. SFX would later reverse course, and sell off the pieces of its large sports agency business. - Steinberg, Moorad & Dunn ("SMD") – a multi-sport agency sold in October 1999 for reported $120 million to Canadian financial firm. Defections of principals, and litigation, followed. Originally led by entrepreneurial agents Leigh SteinbergLeigh SteinbergLeigh William Steinberg is an American sports agent and sports lawyer. His client list has included Steve Bartkowski, Steve Young, Troy Aikman, Warren Moon, Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas, Kordell Stewart, Jeff George, Ben Roethlisberger, Myron Rolle, Matt Leinart, Mark Brunell, Ricky Williams,...
and Jeff MooradJeff MooradJeff Moorad is a former sports agent and is currently lead owner of the San Diego Padres and part-owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team.He is an Assyrian American...
.
See also
- Entertainment LawEntertainment lawEntertainment law or media law is a term for a mix of more traditional categories of law with a focus on providing legal services to the entertainment industry. The principal areas of Entertainment Law overlap substantially with the well-known and conventional field of intellectual property law...
- Talent agentTalent agentA talent agent, or booking agent, is a person who finds jobs for actors, authors, film directors, musicians, models, producers, professional athletes, writers and other people in various entertainment businesses. Having an agent is not required, but does help the artist in getting jobs...
: discussion of the agents that represent entertainment talent and may also participate in sports agency.
Further reading
- The Business of Sports Agents, by Kenneth L. Shropshire, Timothy Davis, 2008, University of Pennsylvania Press, ISBN 978-0-8122-4084-9
- License to Deal: A Season on the Run with a Maverick Baseball Agent, by Jerry Crasnick, 2005, Rodale Books, ISBN 978-1-59486-024-9
- An Athlete's Guide to Agents: 5th Edition, by Bob Ruxin with Darren Heitner, 2009, Jones and Bartlett, ISBN 978-0-7637-7611-4
- How To Be A Sports Agent, by Mel Stein, 2008, High Stakes Publishing, ISBN 978-1-84344-045-1