Rapper Jay-Z is branching out from music to sports agency, and his first client is reportedly New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano.
Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter's Roc Nation has teamed up with Creative Artists Agency Sports to launch Roc Nation Sports. The agency's first client will be Cano, who heads into free agency after this MLB season.
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"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," Carter, also a minority owner of basketball’s Brooklyn Nets, said in a statement.
Until now, Cano has been represented by one of baseball's top agents, Scott Boras.
"At this point in my career, I am ready to take a more active role in my endeavors both on and off the field," Cano said in a statement. "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.
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"Jay Z and his team at Roc Nation have successfully orchestrated powerful brand and business-building opportunities for their clients," Michael Levine, of CAA Sports, said in a statement. "We look forward to combining our wide-reaching resources on behalf of top athlete clients like Robinson Cano to help them accomplish their goals on and off the field."
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