Baseball

• How Matt Sosnick and Paul Cobbe built a very influential baseball agency [Bay Area buddies find success with baseball agency].
• He dropped Creative Artists Agency last year [Zack Greinke still agentless, yet open to extension].
• Wait, he is human? [So, what to make of Scott Boras’ winter?].

Football

• The first executive M.B.A. for professional athletes [New Playbook for Post-Career Success].
• Uncle Luke isn’t happy with Rosenhaus getting rich off the African-American community [Superagent Drew Rosenhaus should give back to Miami's black communities].
• JR Rickert – agent of Hakeem Nicks and high school principal [Sports agent's work labor of love].

Hockey

• 6,400 words seems like an awful lot of type [Prominent NHL player agent gets in blog war…with blogger].

Sports Law

•  Is it unconscionable or contrary to public policy? [Is the National Letter of Intent Legally Enforceable?]

Shabbat Shalom: Friday Wrap-Up (2/3/2011) from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Oakland Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston was selected by the team in the second round (#44 overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft.  Houston, who used to play for the Texas Longhorns, had a solid second season in the NFL, gathering 51 combined tackles, 1 sack, 3 pass deflections, and even an interception.  Tackles were up compared to 2010, but sacks decreased by 5.  The numbers were good enough for Drew Rosenhaus to pay attention.

Houston recently switched from Jordan Woy of Willis & Woy Sports Group to Rosenhaus Sports Representation.  Last September, Woy was on the other side of an On To The Next One, when he signed defensive back Jordan Pugh of the Carolina Panthers, who had previously been represented by Garriet M. Blair of GMB Sports and Entertainment, LLC.

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

It feels like just yesterday that Chris “Beanie” Wells donned the scarlet and gray of THE Ohio State University.  It also feels like just yesterday that Wells was signed to DeBartolo Sports.  But back in October 2010, Wells switched from DeBartolo to Drew Rosenhaus of Rosenhaus Sports Representation (RSR).  At the time, it seemed like quite a trend; many players were leaving DeBartolo in favor of RSR.

Fast forward a year and a few months, and Wells is making another change.  He has recently dropped RSR and signed with Sean Howard of Octagon Football.

The former 1st round pick under-performed in his first 2 years in the NFL, but then had almost as many yards in 2011 as he amassed in 2009 and 2010 combined.  2011 could prove to have been very important for Wells, because he was given a chance to get a lot of carries after the Arizona Cardinals’ second round pick, Ryan Williams, ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee, and sat out the entire 2011 season.

On To The Next One: Beanie Wells (Part II) from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Drew Rosenhaus is now representing two players at the quarterback position who hope to be selected in the 2012 NFL Draft.  I have already reported that Rosenhaus represents former University of Miami quarterback Jacory Harris.  Rosenhaus also recently signed up former Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus has signed QB Darron Thomas

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) January 15, 2012

Thomas is leaving a year of eligibility on the table by declaring for the NFL Draft this year.  However, he certainly proved himself at Oregon, throwing for 2,761 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2011 alone.  Thomas has already earned his degree and understands that he may not be picked until later in the draft, and that he runs the risk of not being drafted at all.  However, if he excels in his workouts, he is the type of player who could see his draft stock rise quite a bit.

It will be interesting to watch how Rosenhaus, an agent not known for representing many QBs, manages representing both Jacory Harris and Darron Thomas leading up to the 2012 NFL Draft, and whether Rosenhaus signs any more QBs prior to the start of the draft.

Drew Rosenhaus Signs Oregon QB Darron Thomas from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

University of Florida running back Jeff Demps is putting aside his dreams to play professional football to focus on getting prepared to run track in the 2012 Olympics.  Don’t expect the same for the 6’3 302lb Florida defensive tackle Jaye Howard.  Howard, who was recently named Honorable Mention All-SEC by the Associated Press, has signed with Drew Rosenhaus of Rosenhaus Sports Representation.  Rosenhaus was reportedly in Gainesville, Florida last week and sealed the deal with Howard at that time.

NFLDraftScout.com currently ranks Howard as the 21st best defensive tackle available in the 2012 NFL Draft and the 213th best player overall.  He has already accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl.  A big question will be whether Howard will put forth enough effort to excel at the next level.  His big knock in college was that he did not seem to always give it everything he had on the field.

Florida Gators DT Jaye Howard Signs With Drew Rosenhaus from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Where do you expect to get your NFL Draft news?  From a Philadelphia 76ers/NBA writer for the Delaware News Journal?  Oh, the beauty of Twitter.  Yesterday, Martin Frank broke news that Drew Rosenhaus of Rosenhaus Sports Representation signed Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still.

#PennState DT Devon Still signs with agent Drew Rosenhaus, Still’s brother told me.

— Martin Frank (@mfranknba) January 3, 2012

Still is one of the hottest defensive tackles in the 2012 NFL Draft.  NFLDraftScout.com lists Still as the best DT and the 8th best player available overall.  Rosenhaus gets the 2011 Big Ten Defensive Players of the Year to go along with his bevy of Miami Hurricanes.

Top Penn State Defensive Tackle Devon Still Picks Drew Rosenhaus from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Bryant was selected by the Dallas Cowboys as the #24 overall pick in 2010.  The Cowboys signed him to a five year contract worth up to $11.8 million, including $8.5 million guaranteed.  With many years left in his rookie contract, Bryant has fired Parker and signed with Drew Rosenhaus of Rosenhaus Sports Representation.

Rosenhaus just seems to have a knack for scooping up players prior to them signing their second contracts (where the real money starts to be made).  Don’t be surprised if you start to hear about negotiations between Bryant and the Cowboys regarding the renegotiation of Bryant’s rookie contract.

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

Within the past couple of weeks, Rosenhaus signed Standard Representation Agreements (SRAs) with former Canes Olivier Vernon and Brandon Washington.  Vernon played defensive end for the Canes, while Washington was a left-tackle who earned All-ACC honors after his Sophomore season.  Both players are leaving their remaining eligibility on the table by declaring for the NFL Draft and signing with an agent.

Vernon was suspended for six games and played in six games this past season.  The six game suspension was a result of receiving impermissible benefits from former University of Miami booster Nevin Shapiro.

Rosenhaus has now signed all five Miami Hurricanes early entrants: Olivier Vernon, Brandon Washington, Lamar Miller, Tommy Streeter, and Marcus Forston.  He has also signed former Miami quarterback Jacory Harris and linebacker Sean Spence.

University Of Miami = University Of Drew Rosenhaus? from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Aldarius Johnson was the exception.  A former University of Miami Hurricane eligible to be selected in the 2012 NFL Draft who had not signed with Drew Rosenhaus (Rosenhaus is currently representing five former Hurricanes who may be taken in the 2012 NFL Draft).  Johnson signed a Standard Representation Agreement (SRA) with Carlos Rodriguez of Majestic Agents & Consultants (MAC), which I reported on December 1, 2012.  Five days after reporting the signing, Johnson officially terminated the SRA with Rodriguez.  As of right now, I do not have any information stating that Johnson has signed with Rosenhaus; however, there are rumblings in South Florida that Rosenhaus Sports Representation will be Johnson’s final destination.  If so, Rosenhaus’ Hurricane count will go up to six.

Carlos Rodriguez was very surprised by Johnson’s act to terminate the SRA.  In fact, Rodriguez found out about the termination through the NFL Players Association; Johnson did not tell Rodriguez directly.  Even worse, Rodriguez was with Johnson this past Saturday (December 10, 2011), four days after Johnson sent in the termination letter to the NFLPA, and did not mention anything about the pending termination.  Rodriguez places at least partial blame for the split on communication issues.  It does not seem surprising, considering that his former client did not even communicate the fact that he was leaving Rodriguez for another agent.

Former Miami WR Aldarius Johnson Is Already On To The Next One from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

The University of Miami has produced many very talented NFL running backs over the years.  Most recently those names include Willis McGahee, Edgerrin James, Frank Gore, and Clinton Portis.  Get ready to add another name to that list.

Yesterday, underclassman running back Lamar Miller announced that he would be leaving the University of Miami and entering his name into the 2012 NFL Draft.  He officially forfeited his remaining eligibility by signing with Drew Rosenhaus of Rosenhaus Sports Representation (confirmed by Joe Schad’s Tweet, below).

Lamar Miller of Miami signed w Drew Rosenhaus

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) December 12, 2011

Miller had 1272 yards and 9 touchdowns in his redshirt Sophomore season with the Hurricanes.  While there may be some legitimate questions regarding the early departure of University of Miami Juniors Tommy Streeter and Marcus Forston, no one can question Miller’s desire to enter the 2012 NFL Draft and end his amateur efforts.  He could easily end up being a first or second rounder depending on team needs.

And Rosenhaus adds another Hurricane to represent in the 2012 NFL Draft.  His current count is at 5 Hurricanes.  He may not even be done.

Miami Underclassman RB Lamar Miller Signs With Drew Rosenhaus from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules