• Mike Conley, Jr. – BDA Sports (Mike Conley, Sr.). Averaging roughly 14 points per game for the Grizzlies.
• Othello Hunter – David Lee Services (David Lee). Hunter is currently playing in the Lega Basket Serie A in Italy for Dinamo Basket Sassari.
• Ron Lewis – Unknown – last listed with Jason Levien. Playing in the NBL (Czech Basketball League) for CEZ Basketball Nymburk.
• B.J. Mullens – ASM Sports (Andy Miller). Currently on the Tulsa 66ers D-League roster.
• Greg Oden – BDA Sports (Mike Conley, Sr.). Plagued by knee injuries.
• Michael Redd – Kevin Poston. Expected to return from injury around March 21.
• Kosta Koufos – Mark Termini Associates (Mark Termini)
• Daequan Cook – BDA Sports (Mike Conley, Sr.). Getting limited playing time for the Thunder.
• Evan Turner – FAME (David Falk).

Termini has some serious Cleveland, Ohio roots, having gone to law school at Cleveland State University and worked in the Cleveland Cavaliers front office.  He also represented Jim Jackson.  But Mike Conley, Sr. is the main around campus.  However, all three of his clients listed above were a part of the same draft class.  Oden and Cook were tight with his son, who he also represents.  Will Conley, Sr. once again try to get in with the OSU draft eligible players in 2011, or will Termini, Andy Miller, or some other agent get in on the action? David Falk has been very selective in his recruiting since coming back to the business.  If he goes after anyone at OSU this year, it will be Sullinger.

Jared Sullinger will likely be a top 5 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.  The Freshman is very likely to leave after this year.  William Buford is a talented shooting guard, but he still has one year left before graduation.  Will he leave early and select an agent?  Last, David Lighty, the senior shooting guard, has a good shot of being drafted, and could be selected in the upper half of the second round.

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

For a long time now, LeBron James has tried to stay out of the spotlight when it comes to politics.  Although James has been shining bright in the media ever since entering the league, he has been rather dull when it comes to his affiliations with politics and other support groups (much like Tiger Woods has been).  James and other celebrities are afraid that they will lose fans and money by endorsing a particular side or view that differs from that of their fans.  Michael Jordan’s famous words “Republicans buy sneakers too,” shows that athletes do think about politics in advertising and when they speak publicly.

Some believe that an athlete or someone who has a large influence over many people like an athlete, should not speak out on public topics.  Leigh Steinberg believes that athletes are role models and have to step up and show people what they believe.  But when should athletes speak up?

Last week the Los Angeles Times reported that LeBron James donated $20,000 to the campaign of Illinois Senator, Barack Obama, joining his “shy” buddy Tiger Woods’ donations to Obama’s team. With LeBron James and Tiger Woods on your side, what can’t you do?

The presidential race is about to heat up as many celebrities are choosing sides publicly.  LeBron might not have wanted anyone to talk about his donation, but he is certainly not the first athlete to endorse a presidential candidate.  Troy Aikman was a HUGE Bush supporter.

Darren did a post in March titled Publicly Endorsing Political Candidates, which tells a little more about athletes sponsoring candidates and speaking out publicly.  It tells Greg Oden’s views and shows what Steinberg set up for athletes and Obama.  Jason Belzer recommends the website Ballers4Barack.com, which is specifically dedicated to basketball players who endorse Obama.

The King Endorses Obama from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Leigh Steinberg, known as an agent who is always bucking the general trend (Jerry McGuire was supposedly based on his life), has also publicly announced his support for Senator Obama. In fact, he has created a group called Athletes for Obama with the help of Reggie Bush and Charles Barkley.

No matter if you think an athlete or agent should publicly support a candidate or drive people to vote for a particular person, I think we can all agree that it is worthwhile for people in high positions to have a goal of trying to broadly influence people to vote (not specifically who to vote for). That is why I particularly liked the way that Oden ended his post:

If the person I vote for wins it’s gonna be because of my one little vote, at least that’s what I’m gonna think. I think everyone should think that way. This will be my first presidential election to participate in as a voter and I hope that you younger voters will get involved. I think that our votes can really influence the outcome so go out, register and vote for who you think is the best candidate to be the best leader for this country and make sure you and your family will feel good about the new president that is elected in November.

I also urge all of this site’s readers to stay up to date with the Presidential race and vote this November. This will be the first opportunity for many of you to vote in a Presidential election. Make your voice heard. Each vote counts.

Publicly Endorsing Political Candidates from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules