S. Samuel
New York Giants superstar Victor Cruz recently revealed how much of a bond he shares with rap mogul Jay Z and why signing the dotted line to join Roc Nation Sports was a no-brainer.
Cruz credited Jigga’s passion and overwhelming interest in having meaningful involvement of his career for making the Roc Nation Sports deal go down last spring.
Cruz signed up in the spring, joining a partnership between Roc Nation and Creative Artists Agency (and NFL superagent Tom Condon), letting them negotiate what eventually became a six-year, $45.879 million contract. It was a risky move even with Condon on board, because Jay Z had no experience at all as a sports agent. “We just saw an opportunity there,” Cruz told the Daily News. “When we had a sit-down with him, it didn’t seem like just another thing for him, just another business venture. It was something that he was very passionate about. You could see that in the meeting.” (New York Daily News)
Victor also noted how much the people surrounding Jay played a part in getting a deal done.
“I think the main part that sold me, as well as having a conversation with Jay, is the team that’s around him,” Cruz said. “When you look at the things he’s done marketing-wise, as well as the layouts of his albums, everything’s been strategic, it’s been done the right way, and everything kind of just flows properly. I don’t think I’ve seen one deal they’ve done where I’ve been like ‘Eh, I don’t think I would’ve done that.’ … Any kid is going to think of the instant gratification of going to concerts and being with Jay. Everybody’s going to think of that and see that as a bonus. You’re going to naturally be around other celebrities and everybody’s going to see the glitz of it and they’re going to want that. But I think Roc Nation is doing a good job of attracting and seeking people that fit their mold, fit their brand, which is the key part to it.” (New York Daily News)
Recently, Young Hov said he believed Roc Nation Sports will ultimately make agents reconsider how much time and effort they put into their clients’ careers.
“This is people’s lives. They think they’re going to hang around me because I’m famous but they can do that anyway. They don’t have to sign to Roc Nation,” Jay added. “Those two reasons. They think their clients are going to leave them. Their conscience is telling them, ‘I’m not really earning a check. I’m not really earning,’ because if you’re confident and I know that I’ve done a great job, I have no fear of that because, I’m doing a great job. But their conscience is telling them, ‘I’m not doing what I’m supposed to be doing and this is not cool that someone’s around that is threatening to really do the job. So I really have to get up now.’ … Some guys sign and they never see the agent. They see them on the signing day and just never them [again]. And hoping to get fired because they have this tale that they still get paid. They’re almost hoping to get fired.” (BBC Radio 1)
Last month, rap mogul Master P applauded Jigga’s decision to partner Roc Nation with CAA (Creative Artists Agency) Sports to create a competitive force.
“I think they are terrified. I think they are scared — but you got to look at what he is doing with CAA. It’s a great move because now he has expertise. He has the professionals who have been doing that business before he got into it,” Master P said in an interview. “But I think with his celebrity status and his brand, what he has built, he has this generation that wants to be a part of it…I would want to be with him, right now.” (ESPN First Take)
