• 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

As Pete Thamel of The New York Times reports, UCF was aided by a man named Kenneth Caldwell, who has a criminal record and may be tied to ASM Sports.  Caldwell denies the affiliation to ASM Sports, but had listed ASM Sports as an employer on his LinkedIN page, where it said that he was a recruiter of potential NBA players.  Further, Thamel points out that a former associate of ASM Sports claimed that Caldwell works for the company.

ASM Sports’ client list includes Rudy Fernandez, Daniel Gibson, Serge Ibaka,Chauncey Billups, Marreese Speights, Kevin Garnett, J.J. Hickson, and Andre Miller.  They all are primary clients of founder, Andy Miller.  Along with Miller, Justin Zanik and Andrew Vye hold down the fort at ASM.  Miller has denied any relationship with Caldwell.  Zanik admits to having a relationship with Caldwell, but denied Caldwell being employed by his company.

Who is telling the truth?

This line from Thamel’s piece really sticks out:

[Caldwell] denies being a runner, but said if he were he would be “the best in the country, and you could not stop me.”

Possible Tie Between ASM Sports & Former Convict from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

This year, many agents had their eyes on two players who were certain to be leaving Gainesville to hopefully go play in the NBA: Chandler Parsons and Vernon Macklin.  Macklin has not yet chosen his agent.  Yesterday, Parson’s chose his.  Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports is in charge of making sure that Parsons trains hard up until Draft Day and puts himself in the best position to be as high of a draft pick as possible.

Priority Sports has been interested in Parsons for a very long time, but so have a few other agencies.  Wasserman Media Group, Lagardere Unlimited, and ASM Sports were all pitching the former Gator.  For a long time, rumor had it that Parsons was choosing between Lagardere Unlimited and Priority Sports, but just yesterday, I heard that Justin Zanik of ASM Sports (the company that also represents Taurean Green and Marreese Speights) might have been the man in 2nd place.  Either way, the only thing that matters is that Parsons is now a Priority Sports client, and I have no doubt that he will be represented well by Mark Bartelstein and his team of agents.

Priority emerged from the pack based on the company’s close relationship with Coach Billy Donovan, representation of former Gator David Lee, and the amount of attention Parsons received from various people at Priority over the years.

Chandler Parsons Signs With Priority Sports For Representation from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

• Cole Aldrich – Jeff Schwartz (Excel Sports Management)
• Darrell Arthur – Jerry Hicks
• Mario Chalmers – Sam Goldfeder (Excel Sports Management)
• Nick Collison – Mike Higgins (The Higgins Group)
• Drew Gooden – Dan Fegan (Lagardere Unlimited). Formerly with Calvin Andrews (BDA Sports)
• Xavier Henry - Arn Tellem (Wasserman Media Group)
• Kirk Hinrich – Jeff Austin (Octagon)
• Darnell Jackson – Roger Montgomery (Montgomery Sports Group)
• Sasha Kaun – Justin Zanik (ASM Sports). Currently playing for powerhouse, CSKA Moscow.
• Raef LaFrentz – Mike Higgins (The Higgins Group). Retired.
• Paul Pierce – Jeff Schwartz (Excel Sports Management)
• Scot Pollard – Mark Bartelstein (Priority Sports & Entertainment). Retired.
• Russell Robinson – Bob McClaren (McClaren Sports). Playing for DKV Joventut in Spain’s Liga ACB.
• Brandon Rush – Mark Bartelstein (Priority Sports and Entertainment)
• Wayne Simien – Leigh Steinberg. Retired.
• Jacque Vaughn – Jeff Austin (Octagon). Assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs.
• Julian Wright – Rob Pelinka (Landmark Sports Agency)

Kansas produces professional basketball players.  This is only a partial listing of the many high quality basketball players to come out of the Jayhawks program in the past couple of decades.  No one agency dominates the school, and there is quite a wide spread of agents who have been able to effectively pitch their services to Kansas players.  Excel Sports seems to have a nice mix with two younger players in Mario Chalmers and Cole Aldrich, along with the best in the group, Paul Pierce.

Power forward Markieff Morris should be drafted in 2011.  The senior is 6’10, 235lbs, and puts up over 13 points per game.  Marcus Morris will not definitely leave, but if he does, he is likely to be selected above Markieff.  Josh Selby is a very talented young shooting guard, but the Freshman will likely stick around for at least one more year.  If not, he could be taken in the first round.  Thomas Robinson has a lot of potential and will be returning to Kansas next year as well.  If Tyshawn Taylor leaves, he could be a 2nd round pick, but he also has one year left if he chooses to play it out at Kansas.

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

Rudy Fernandez

You First Sports claims that its company has merged with ASM Sports.  I am awaiting confirmation from ASM Sports that it was in fact a merger and not some other kind of relationship that has been forged.  The article states that each company will continue to operate under their existing names.  Also, according to the article, Andy Miller has been on You First Sports’ Board of Directors since 2006.

ASM Sports Expands Global Presence from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Interestingly, before hiring Drew Rosenhaus, LenDale did not actually have an agent.  The NFLPA lists his agent as Christopher Brantley of ASM Sports, but according to Brad Biggs of the National Football Post, Brantley is not an NFLPA certified advisor.  Thus, had LenDale not picked up Rosenhaus or another NFLPA certified advisor, he would have had to negotiate his next contract all by himself, which is something that most NFL players are not prepared to do (Daunte Culpepper and Ricky Williams are two of the few players who has attempted to negotiate their own deals).

ASM Sports is known for its strong basketball client list that includes Chauncey Billups, Donyell Marshall, Marreese Speights, and dozens of other talented players.  Andy Miller is the popular name behind the company, but most likely you have also heard of VP Justin Zanik.  I cannot find any information regarding the company representing professional football players, which makes me wonder how LenDale connected with Brantley in the first place.

LenDale White Switches To Rosenhaus Sports from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Have anything to add or information about a change? Email me.

NBA Draft Signing Update from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Octagon (unsure of primary agent) – Sam Young, Wes Matthews, Brandon Costner, Jack McClinton

Have anything to add or information about a change? Email me.

NBA Draft Signing Update from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

1. Wasserman Media Group (Arn Tellem, BJ Armstrong, Dan Tobin, Greg Lawrence, Thad Foucher, Bob Myers) – The WMG team had an unprecidented draft.  BJ Armstrong stole the show by representing the #1 overall pick, Derrick Rose.  Because BJ was always mentioned with Rose, many looked over the fact that he is also the primary agent for #14 pick, Anthony Randolph.  Quite a first year for the one-time Chicago Bull.  Arn Tellem did not do too poorly himself.  Danillo Gallinari went higher than many had anticipated during the week.  While Tellem may not be “listed” as the primary agent for many of WMG’s 7 first round picks, you have to believe he had a heavy hand in persuading the players to go Wasserman’s way.  Add to the stable Brook Lopez, Robin Lopez, Maarty Leunen, D.J. Augustin…yeah, this one is easy…Grade = A+
2. Priority Sports (Mark Bartelstein, Aaron Mintz, Brad Ames) – Forget A-Rod vs. Canseco, T.O. vs. the media, and Shawn Chacon vs. the Astros GM.  I want to see Tellem vs. Bartelstein.  If you had to ask me which two names currently dominate the NBPA agent landscape, it would have to be these two fellows.  If your last name starts with a “B”, chances are, Bartelstein represents you.  His company got J.R. Giddons drafted in the first round, way above where I thought he would go.  At the same time, Trent Plaisted slipped a little further than Bartelstein probably hoped he would.  The company definitely jumped for joy when Brandon Rush became a lottery pick.  Overall, Priority had another solid showing.  Grade = A
3. BDA Sports (Billy Duffy, Calvin Andrews, Rade Filipovich) – The biggest news leading up to the NBA Draft had maintained the spotlight for quite some time: O.J. Mayo fired Calvin Andrews and BDA Sports after NCAA violations came to light regarding Mayo’s acceptance of money through a runner for the agency.  In my mind, BDA had to do quite a lot to rebound from that devastating news, which may continue to get worse if further sanctions are placed on the agency.  I do not feel like they ended up very happy.  Besides losing Mayo, James Gist was picked later than expected, but Goran Dragic was taken right about where he was predicted to go.  Overall, 2008 was a disappointing year for a company that used to be right up alongside Priorty.  Grade = C-
4. Excel Sports Management (Jeff Schwartz, Sam Goldfeder) – For a long time, mock drafts had Jerryd Bayless projected as a top-4 pick.  It is not Schwartz’s fault that Bayless slipped as draft day approached; Bayless was probably being hyped a little bit too much beforehand.  Having a lottery pick is always a win for a sports agency, and Excel must be happy that Bayless went in the top 14.  Having two lottery picks is even nicer…Kevin Love is also a client.  The true icing on the cake is that Luc Richard Mbah a Moute was taken at the beginning of the second round.  Mbah a Moute was not even a lock to be picked at all.  Grade = A
5. Montgomery Sports Group (Roger Montgomery) – Not a bad draft for a man who only represented four guys going into last Thursday.  Sonny Weems was taken higher than expected and Darrell Jackson went right about where he was predicted to land…and to a team that desperately needs some help.  I have no criticism for Roger, but until he breaks into the first round, I am unable to give him an A.  Grade = B+
6. Creative Artists Agency (Leon Rose, Andre Buck) – It was looking like CAA was going to be left out of the first round shuffle until the aforementioned O.J. Mayo affair went down.  But even more surprising is that CAA ended up with two lottery picks.  The second is Jason Thompson, who has Andre Buck as his primary advisor.  Who could have predicted that the Rider forward would be selected twelfth overall?  The only thing holding me back from giving CAA an A+ is the slipping of CDR (Chris Douglas-Roberts).  Tenth pick in the second round?  Something went wrong there.  Grade = A-
7. ASM Sports (Andy Miller, Justin Zanik) – Serge Ibaka, Sasha Kaun, Omer Asik, J.J. Hickson, Marreese Speights, Deron Washington, and Richard Hendrix all got drafted.  It seems like ASM has not gotten its due praise because WMG has been taking all of the headlines.  Someone hire a PR expert for this company, ASAP!  Between WMG and ASM, how does anyone else compete?  Sure, James Mays and David Padgett were not selected, but I am sure that they will find a team to play for.  Grade = A+

Grading The NBA Draft (By Agencies) from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules