Shawn Carter, better known as Jay-Z, has announced a new full-service sports management company within his entertainment company, Roc Nation, called Roc Nation Sports.
Roc Nation Sports has partnered with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a leading entertainment and sports agency, and has already signed their first client — Yankees star Robinson Cano. Cano, a four-time MLB All-Star and member of the Yankees’ 2009 World Series championship team, left his baseball agent Scott Boras of Boras Corp to join Roc Nation Sports.
From Roc Nation:
“At this point in my career, I am ready to take a more active role in my endeavors both on and off the field,” said Cano. “I am confident that the pairing of Roc Nation Sports and CAA Sports will be essential in helping me accomplish my short- and long-term goals. I am making this important decision now so I can keep my focus on helping the Yankees succeed in 2013, while minimizing any distractions for me and my teammates.”
Cano will be represented on the field by a team of agents led by CAA Sports’ Brodie Van Wagenen. Since Opening Day 2011, CAA Sports’ baseball group has negotiated more than $1.1 billion in Major League contracts, including eight contracts with a guaranteed value of $50 million or more, of which four exceeds $100 million, more than any other agency.
Carter, part owner of the Brooklyn Nets, is planning on becoming a certified agent, first in baseball, with plans to eventually move into basketball and football as well. While he is legally allowed to represent baseball and football players, Carter would have to give up his stake in the Brooklyn Nets to represent basketball players.
Carter released a statement on the Roc Nation website about why he wanted to start Roc Nation Sports, saying, “Because of my love of sports, it was a natural progression to form a company where we can help top athletes in various sports the same way we have been helping artists in the music industry for years.”
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