Baseball

• If he wins the bidding war, he could take Arn Tellem out of the agent biz [Hedge-fund executive Steven Cohen is bidding for the Dodgers].
• Scott Boras is making his pitch for 39-year-old Jason Varitek [Red Sox can often be late risers in roster moves].

Football

• Peter Schaffer’s new firm [JR Announces Official Deal with Authentic Athletix].
• Leigh Steinberg reportedly owes a lot of money to various entities [Real-Life ‘Jerry Maguire’ Facing Jail Over Debts?].
• Maybe Steinberg doesn’t think the general public should be concerned with his issue, but it is certainly a noteworthy subject for this site’s readers [Legendary Agent Leigh Steinberg Responds To Unpaid Debt Charges].
• Hard to believe that Jason Babin only has $5.5 million guaranteed on his 5-year contract [Making a list: best and worst of 2011 contracts].
• More than a dozen lawsuits have been filed since July 2011 [For N.F.L., Concussion Suits May Be Test for Sport Itself].

Basketball

• Arn Tellem and Dan Fegan listed in the “supporting cast” [What Really Happened In The Chris Paul Fiasco].

Shabbat Shalom: Friday Wrap-Up (12/30/2011) from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

NBA owners and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) are certainly not sitting idle.  However, I still do not feel a strong sense of urgency from either side of the bargaining table.  That could soon change, as many prominent basketball agents are making it known that they wish to decertify the NBPA.

Arn Tellem (Wasserman Media Group), Bill Duffy (BDA Sports), Mark Bartlestein (Priority Sports), Dan Fegan (Lagardère Unlimited) and Jeff Schwartz (Excel Sports) have collectively had their names printed by many media outlets over the past week.  These gentlemen have decided that they are in favor of decertification of the players’ union, which would allow their clients to file antitrust lawsuits against the NBA.  As long as the NBPA exists as a certified union of NBA players, the players forfeit their right to sue for any antitrust claims.

Journalists have been quick to point out that the five aforementioned agents collectively represent roughly thirty percent of the active players who comprise the NBPA, which happens to be the percentage of players needed to sign a petition in favor of decertification prior to all players in the union voting on the matter.  Thereafter, a simple majority would effectively decertify the NBPA.

This discussion reminds me of an article written by NBA.com columnist David Aldridge on July 4, 2011, where he said,

Players are much more unified this time around than in ’99, in no small part because [Billy] Hunter has neutered the influence of powerful player agents like Arn Tellem, Mark Bartlestein and Bill Duffy, with an executive committee comprised mainly of middle-class players like Roger Mason, Jr. and Keyon Dooling.)

I wrote a reply, respectfully disagreeing with Aldridge’s assessment.

It is naive to think that the “middle-class players” will control negotiations on the players end, especially when a big problem with the current system is the large dollars that mid-level players are receiving.  The heavy hitting agents will be involved, whether or not they represent any players on the Executive Committee.

At this point in time, it seems as though the major agents are actively involved and will not be ceding control any time soon.  Whether this is a good thing for the NBA, in general, remains to be seen.

Agents In Control Of Collective Bargaining Negotiations For NBA Players from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

It has been a very eventful past couple of weeks for me.  Quite a bit of stuff is still pending; some I wish to keep confidential and other information I feel free to share.  I have accepted a new legal job, which will start in about a week and a half.  I have had an amazing year working at Koch Parafinczuk & Wolf, PA (KPW) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where I have grown tremendously as a litigator.  I am forever thankful for the opportunity that they gave me.  However, I have been offered a position to work directly with a prominent Entertainment/Intellectual Property attorney who has left his firm to start up a new venture from scratch.  It will be the two of us plus a couple of secretaries, and we will be largely focusing on Entertainment/Sports/Intellectual Property matters.  I will certainly provide more information over the next couple of weeks.  In the meantime, I am wrapping up some work at KPW and handling a lot of other matters that need to be taken care of.  Everyone is talking about this article that was written in The Atlantic this week.  I hope to get a chance to finally read it this weekend.  Here are some stories I missed over the past week:

Basketball

• Thoughts on Adam Silver attending the U.S. open with Casey Wasserman? [NBA players storm Vegas for all-pro 'lockout league,' union meeting].
• Arn Tellem, Bill Duffy, Mark Bartelstein, Jeff Schwartz, and Dan Fegan want the NBPA to decertify [Sources: Agents want union to decertify].
• How the NBA’s lawsuit may preclude decertification of the NBPA [GameTime: Labor Roundtable].

Shabbat Shalom: Friday Wrap-Up (9/16/2011) from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Other than a couple kids from Kentucky (Josh Harrellson and DeAndre Liggins), the following is a comprehensive list of players selected along with their agents of record.  Do not pay too much attention to the teams listed, as a lot will change based on trades.  Based on the information that is listed below, BDA Sports, Octagon, and Creative Artists Agency each had 5 clients selected.  Priority Sports and ASM Sports each had 4 clients selected.  The real winner was Wasserman Media Group, with involvement in the representation of 7 player selected.  30 players were selected from the 6 agencies listed above, accounting for exactly half of the entire draft.

First Round

1. Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers) – Jeff Wechsler (24-7 Sports Management) – This is the first client of Wechsler’s to be drafted #1 overall.  However, Wechsler is no stranger to having 1st round clients.  He represents Larry Hughes, D.J. White, Quentin Richardson, Mike Sweetney, and used to represent Penny Hardaway – all of whom were selected in the 1st round.
2. Derrick Williams (Minnesota Timberwolves) – Rob Pelinka (Landmark Sports Agency) – Pelinka has a lot of talented clients, none larger than Kobe Bryant.  However, he also represents names like Carlos Boozer, Wesley Johnson, James Harden, Derek Fisher, and Andre Iguodala.
3. Enes Kanter (Utah Jazz) – Max Ergul – Not much info on Max Ergul; however, he does represent former Milwaukee Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova.
4. Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers) – Leon Rose (Creative Artist Agency) – Leon Rose and CAA happen to represent another former #4 overall pick named Chris Paul.  The agency also represents LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwyane Wade.
5. Jonas Valanciunas (Toronto Raptors) – Sarunas Broga (East Players) w/CAA – All of Broga’s clients listed on his FIBA page were born in Lithuania.
6. Jan Veseley (Washington Wizards) - Aleksandar Raskovic w/Arn Tellem – Raskovic is said to be working with Wasserman Media Group to represent Veseley in negotiations.
7. Bismack Biyombo (Charlotte Bobcats via trade) – Igor Crespo (Xpheres Basketball Management) – 6th international player taken in the 1st 7 picks of the draft.
8. Brandon Knight (Detroit Pistons) – Arn Tellem (Wasserman Media Group) – I wonder if Knight will get along with Tracy McGrady, who is also a Tellem client.
9. Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats) – Jeff Schwartz (Excel Sports Management) – This is the same company that recently hired Casey Close and is quickly developing a very powerful baseball division.
10. Jimmer Fredette (Sacramento Kings via trade) - Jeff Austin (Octagon) – The crew at Octagon did a tremendous job boosting the marketability of an already marketable Fredette.  Let’s see what they can do with him once he is in the NBA.
11. Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors) – Bill Duffy (BDA Sports) – I had heard back in march that Thompson was a priority for BDA Sports.
12. Alec Burks (Utah Jazz) – Andy Miller (ASM Sports) – Along with Andy Miller, Justin Zanik and Andrew Vye represent players at ASM Sports.
13. Markieff Morris (Phoenix Suns) – Tony Dutt (Rival Sports Group LLC) – I covered the interesting story about Markieff and his brother signing with Dutt and how a man named Jason Martin may have played a big role.
14. Marcus Morris (Houston Rockets) - Tony Dutt (Rival Sports Group LLC) – Just read the linked story above.
15. Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs via trade) – Brian Elfus (Impact Sports Management) - Late 2010, Elfus became a part of Impact Sports Management, which has a history of representing a multitude of football players.
16. Nikola Vucevic (Philadelphia 76ers) - Rade Filipovich (BDA Sports)
17. Iman Shumpert (New York Knicks) – Happy Walters (Rogue Sports) – Shumpert joins another Happy Walters client in New York - Amar’e Stoudemire.
    
18. Chris Singleton (Washington Wizards) – Bill Duffy (BDA Sports) – 3 BDA Sports clients taken in the top 18 picks of the draft.
19. Tobias Harris (Milwaukee Bucks via trade) – Henry Thomas (Creative Artists Agency)
20. Donatas Motiejunas (Houston Rockets via trade) – Herb Rudoy (Interperformances) – The agency also represents Manu Ginobili and other foreign born players in the NBA.
21. Nolan Smith (Portland Trailblazers) – Joel Bell (Bell Management International)
22. Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets) - Thad Foucher (Wasserman Media Group)
23. Nikola Mirotic (Chicago Bulls via trade) – Igor Crespo (Xpheres Basketball Management)
24. Reggie Jackson (Oklahoma City Thunder) - Aaron Mintz (Priority Sports)
25. MarShon Brooks (New Jersey Nets via trade) – Seth Cohen (Original Creative Representation)
26. Jordan Hamilton (Portland Trailblazers via trade) - Lee Melchionni (Wasserman Media Group)
27. JaJuan Johnson (Boston Celtics via trade) - Kevin Bradbury (BDA Sports)
28. Norris Cole (Miami Heat via trade) – Joel Bell (Bell Management International)
29. Cory Joseph (San Antonio Spurs) – Leon Rose (Creative Artists Agency)
30. Jimmy Butler (Chicago Bulls) - Happy Walters (Rogue Sports)

Second Round

1. Bojan Bogdanovic (Minnesota Timberwolves via trade) – Marc Cornstein (Pinnacle Management)
2. Justin Harper (Orlando Magic via trade) – Lance Young (Octagon)
3. Kyle Singler (Detroit Pistons) - Greg Lawrence (Wasserman Media Group)
4. Shelvin Mack (Washington Wizards) - Doug Neustadt (The Neustadt Group)
5. Tyler Honeycutt (Sacramento Kings) - Tony Dutt (Rival Sports Group LLC)
6. Jordan Williams (New Jersey Nets) - Andy Miller (ASM Sports)
7. Trey Thompkins (Los Angeles Clippers) - Arn Tellem (Wasserman Media Group)
8. Chandler Parsons (Houston Rockets) – Mark Bartelstein (Priority Sports) – Go Gators!
9. Jeremy Tyler (Charlotte Bobcats) - Makhtar Ndiaye (Wasserman Media Group)
10. Jon Leuer (Milwaukee Bucks) – Mark Bartelstein (Priority Sports)
11. Darius Morris (Los Angeles Lakers) – Brian Dyke (Shibumi Sports)
12. Davis Bertans (San Antonio Spurs via trade) - Marc Fleisher (Entersport)
    
13. Malcolm Lee (Chicago Bulls) - Brian Elfus (Impact Sports Management)
14. Charles Jenkins (Golden State Warriors) – Michael Lindeman (Excel Sports Management)
15. Josh Harrellson (New York Knicks via trade) – Unknown
16. Andrew Goudelock (Los Angeles Lakers) – Austin Walton (Walton Sports Management Group)
17. Travis Leslie (Los Angeles Clippers) - Andrew Vye (ASM Sports)
18. Keith Benson (Atlanta Hawks) – Leon Rose (Creative Artists Agency)
19. Josh Selby (Memphis Grizzlies) – Andy Miller (ASM Sports)
20. Lavoy Allen (Philadelphia 76ers) – Happy Walters (Rogue Sports)
21. Jon Diebler (Portland Trailblazers) –  Lance Young (Octagon)
22. Vernon Macklin (Detroit Piston) – Lance Young (Octagon)
23. DeAndre Liggins (Orlando Magic) - Unknown
24. Milan Macvan (Cleveland Cavaliers) - David Bauman (DB Hoops)
25. E’Twaun Moore (Boston Celtics) – Mark Bartelstein (Priority Sports)
26. Chukwudiebere Maduabum (Los Angeles Lakers) - Ugo Udezue (BDA Sports)
27. Tanguy Ngombo (Dallas Mavericks) - Bill McCandless (Court Side)
28. Ater Majok (Los Angeles Lakers) - Michael Lelchitski (SIG Sports)
29. Adam Hanga (San Antonio Spurs) - Alex Saratsis (Octagon)
30. Isaiah Thomas (Sacramento Kings) – Byron Irvin/Dan Fegan (Lagardere Unlimited)
    

2011 NBA Draft Listing Of Players Selected And Their Agents from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

As is the case for most people who follow basketball, I did not know all that much about Kris Humphries at the start of the 2010-11 NBA season.  He was selected by the Utah Jazz with the #14 overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, but only started in a total of 8 games prior to the start of this past regular season.  But then came in email in October 2010 from a gentleman named Josh Ketroser, introducing himself and how we are connected through others.  Ketroser explained that he formerly worked in the Los Angeles office of Priority Sports & Entertainment, and recently moved out to New York City to work with one of his best friends, Kris Humphries.  Ketroser and I continued to talk on a regular basis and he eventually suggested that I do some work for Humphries, specifically with regards to various marketing opportunities.  A marketing agreement was drafted, but never signed.  Apparently Fegan was not too thrilled about my potential involvement.

Ketroser was simply trying to do as much as he could to help his best friend, who happened to be in the middle of the best season of his career, and I believed that I could also do some good work on behalf of Humphries.  Over the weekend, I was told that Ketroser had also spoken with Fegan in December/early January about possible employment, but nothing ever came of it.  Ketroser eventually got a job with an agent – Marc Cornstein – who now represents Ketroser’s best friend, Kris Humphries.  The Pinnacle Hoops website lists Ketroser as the company’s East Coast Director.  From speaking with Ketroser, I can tell that he is very happy with his decision.

Humphries joined Pinnacle Hoops because he and his family felt that the company had the most to offer him at this point in his career, and it certainly did not help that his best friend was offered a job there.  As a side note, I did not receive the information for this story from Josh Ketroser, himself.

More About Kris Humphries’ Switch From Lagardère To Pinnacle from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

• JJ Barea – Dan Fegan (Lagardere Unlimited)
• Rodrigue Beaubois – Bouna Ndiaye (Comsport)
• Corey Brewer – Happy Walters (Rogue Sports)
• Caron Butler – Raymond Brothers
• Brian Cardinal - Mark Bartelstein (Priority Sports)
• Tyson Chandler - Jeff Schwartz (Excel Sports)
• Brendan Haywood – Andy Miller (ASM Sports)
• Dominique Jones – Mike Hodges
• Jason Kidd - Jeff Schwartz (Excel Sports)
• Ian Mahinmi - Bouna Ndiaye (Comsport)
• Shawn Marion – Dan Fegan (Lagardere Unlimited)
• Dirk Nowitzki – NOBODY
• DeShawn Stevenson – Mark Bartelstein (Priority Sports)
• Peja Stojakovic – David Bauman (DB Hoops)
• Jason Terry - Dan Fegan (Lagardere Unlimited)

What stands out most is that Dirk Nowitzki is not represented by anyone.  Yesterday, Bloomberg Sports released a video explaining Nowitzki’s representation situation (embedded below).  Nowitzki does not have an agent or a business manager, but he does apparently have a friend in Germany who advises him on contracts.

Who Represents The 2010-11 Champion Dallas Mavericks from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

This is what Cornstein said about the signing of Humphries:

“We’re obviously really thrilled. He’s a tremendous player and even a better person. He’s the exact kind of player you want to work with. We’re excited for the free agency process to start. I hope it can start July 1 like it typically does. We have to wait and see.”

Other than Humphries, Cornstein represents NBA players Samuel Dalembert, Darko Milicic, Beno Udrih, and Nenad Krstic.

On To The Next One: Kris Humphries from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Isaiah Thomas has officially signed with Dan Fegan and Byron Irvin of Lagardere Unlimited.  The news was first reported yesterday by Ryan Feldman of The Hoops Report.  Fegan is also representing talented Brazilian basketball player Lucas Nogueira, while Irvin is representing Jacob Pullen of Kansas State, who may end up going undrafted.

Thomas ran the point for the Washington Huskies this past season.  He will probably get criticized for his height (5’9), but he proved that his speed and ball handling can quickly quiet any doubters.  Hopefully he does not take a beating for his very active Tweeting (@Isaiah_Thomas2).  I do not doubt that he is putting in tremendous effort in his workouts, but we all know that certain owners do not understand how athletes find the time for any pleasure.

Best of luck to Fegan, Irvin, and the rest of the crew at Lagardere.

Update: I have been informed that Thomas signed specifically with Irvin at Lagardere, which is the same firm where Fegan works; however, Fegan had little to no involvement in Thomas’ signing with Lagardere.

Isaiah Thomas Signs With Lagardere Unlimited from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

• Hassan Adams – David Lee (David Lee Services). Currently playing for Rain or Shine Elasto Painters of the Philippine Basketball Association.
• Gilbert Arenas – No agent
• Jerryd Bayless – Jeff Schwartz (Excel Sports Management)
• Mike Bibby – David Falk (FAME)
• Chase Budinger – Kevin Bradbury (BDA Sports)
• Channing Frye – Rob Pelinka (Landmark Sports Agency)
• Jordan Hill - Kevin Bradbury (BDA Sports)
• Andre Iguodala - Rob Pelinka (Landmark Sports Agency)
• Richard Jefferson – Todd Eley (Stratosphere Sports)
• Jason Terry – Dan Fegan (Lagardere Unlimited)
• Luke Walton – James Tanner (Williams & Connolly)
• Marcus Williams – Aaron Goodwin (Goodwin Sports Management). Not quite sure what happened to him.

BDA Sports and Landmark Sports Agency both seem to be in the lead with two players each, but no one firm has dominated Arizona basketball over the years.  Other big names seen at many other schools include Williams & Connolly, Lagardere Unlimited, and Excel Sports Management.  Thus, it seems like anybody has a shot at Derrick Williams, who has to be leaving after this year.  As stated last week, BDA Sports, Landmark Sports Agency, and Wasserman Media Group (which is not listed above) are all pushing for the right to rep Williams.  Time will tell who the victor will be.

Agent Selection Scenarios: Arizona Basketball from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

• Kelenna Azubuike – Mike Higgins (The Higgins Group)
• Eric Bledsoe – Leon Rose (Creative Artists Agency)
• Keith Bogans – Michael Harrison
• DeMarcus Cousins – John Greig (SportsTalent)
• Chuck Hayes – Calvin Andrews (BDA Sports)
• Jamaal Magloire – Arn Tellem (Wasserman Media Group)
• Nazr Mohammed - Mike Higgins (The Higgins Group)
• Jodie Meeks – Unrepresented
• Daniel Orton – Ara Vartanian (Vartanian/Simmons Sports Management)
• Patrick Patterson – Odell McCants (Capitol Sports Management)
• Tayshaun Prince – Bill Duffy (BDA Sports)
• Rajon Rondo - Bill Duffy (BDA Sports)
• John Wall – Dan Fegan (Lagardere Unlimited)

Many people expected John Wall to sign with Leon Rose of CAA last year based on Coach Calipari’s supposed cozy relationship with Rose and his buddy William Wesley (who now has an official position as a Coach Agent with CAA).  However, as noted above, Wall signed with Dan Fegan.  Does that give agents outside of CAA hope to recruit effectively at a school with Coach Cal at the helm?  BDA Sports has a few UK graduates, as does Mike Higgins.  Odell McCants jumped on the scene last year with Patrick Patterson.  Will he be able to leverage that relationship to get more UK blue blood?  Enes Kanter was supposed to play at Kentucky this year, but had to sit out due to an NCAA ruling.  Expect him to be a lottery pick.  Terrence Jones and Brandon Knight may also be lottery picks if either or both decide to leave early.  They are both very talented Freshman that can certainly improve their Draft stocks if they stick around at UK; however, based on their potential, they both will be sure first rounders if they leave early.  My hunch is that at least Knight sticks around at least one more year.

Agent Selection Scenarios: Kentucky Basketball from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules