S. Samuel
Rap mogul Jay-Z is reportedly on the verge of inking a huge client to Roc Nation Sports in one-time Western Conference champion Kevin Durant.
Reports of the mega move going down in the near future bubbled across the Internet Saturday (June 8).
Kevin Durant could be moving on to the next one…agent that is. The Oklahoma City Thunder star is leaving Landmark Sports and could join Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports, according to SportsBusiness Journal’s Liz Mullen. Mullen also tweeted a brief comment from Landmark Sports president, NBA agent Rob Pelinka, who said, “We are honored & blessed to have worked on behalf of Kevin for a brief period of time.” Roc Nation did not comment on the possibility of signing Durant. Jay-Z still owns shares of the Brooklyn Nets, which would prohibit him from representing Durant as an agent. (New York Daily News)
A league source has offered a take on why KD wants to link with Hovi.
In the new age of brand marketing and social media, teaming up with a pop culture icon is one of the best ways for an athlete to increase his or her public image. “KD doesn’t want a traditional NBA agent anymore,” a league source told Yahoo! Sports. “He wants Jay-Z to handle his branding. …He had a chance to be with his idol and couldn’t say no.” (Sporting News)
Some reports claim the signing could draw significant attention from other athletes.
With Kevin Durant joining Roc Nation, do not be surprised to see a Domino Effect ensue in the coming months…especially among football and basketball players who are currently in the midst of their off-season. If Jay-Z wanted to rock the sports agency establishment, the signing of Kevin Durant accomplishes this task more than any other moves made to this point. That said, the smartest thing Jay-Z did was partner with a brand like CAA. Without their contractual and sports law expertise, Jay-Z’s venture into athlete representation would have been far less attractive. (Forbes)
Back in April, Jay issued an official statement about relinquishing his ownership in the Brooklyn Nets.
“Being a member of the Nets organization surpassed some of my greatest ambitions. It was never about an investment; it was about the NETS and Brooklyn. My job as an owner is over but as a fan it has just begun. I’m a Brooklyn Net forever. It’s been an honor to work with Mikhail Prokhorov, Dmitry Razumov, Christophe Charlier, ONEXIM Sports and Entertainment, Brett Yormark and all the wonderful people involved in making the Nets first class. My sincerest thanks goes to Bruce Ratner, who first introduced the idea of moving the Nets to Brooklyn. A thank you and deepest appreciation goes to the fans. You are the lifeblood of any team.” (Life + Times)
