When you think of the name Jay-Z, you automatically think of the rap mogul who dominated the music industry year after year, but music isn’t the native of Brooklyn’s only passion.
The performer is a sports nut and he has his fingers all over the sports business world lately.
He is part-owner of the Brooklyn Nets – and was a big reason behind the team’s move to the Barclays Center – and was also an executive producer on the NBA 2K13 video game.
Jay-Z most recently made sports business headlines by signing away Yankee second baseman Robinson Cano from super agent Scott Boras, while also signing Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz to his Roc Nation Sports Agency.
Roc Nation is in cahoots with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), which not only represents athletes, but entertainment clients. The agency is prominent and has been in existence since 1975, representing clients such as: Sidney Crosby, Derek Jeter, Peyton Manning, David Beckham, Jennifer Aniston and Drew Barrymore.
The big news that is popping up in the sports business world today is that Roc Nation and CAA are now targeting potential number one pick and top hockey prospect Seth Jones next.
Jones, the son of former NBA player Popeye, is the top North American hockey prospect as per NHL Central Scouting and could become an immediate impact for whoever drafts him (oh hey there Florida Panthers).
The pairing seems very likely because father Jones is currently a staff member of the same Nets team Jay-Z owns, so one can assume the talks began there.
Roc Nation is obviously trying to make a big splash early in the agency field and if they land Jones, they’ll have top clients in baseball, football and hockey.
That’s a pretty good start for a rapper turned sports entrepreneur. Who will he sign next? Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather seems like a good possibility, no? Jay-Z certainly has the dollars to accomodate him. Why the heck not?
Photo credit: stacksmag.net
Roc Nation isn’t wasting time acquiring talent. It will be interesting to see if they approach marketing these athletes in any new, innovative ways.
Let’s see what they do with Skylar Diggins since they recently signed her. Lots of potential with her for off-court $. They’re off to a good start with her taking over the @NBAonTNT Twitter account last night during the GS v. DEN game.
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