Shawn Carter, aka Jay-Z, has started a sports agency group, Roc Nation Sports, and has announced the signing of Yankees All-Star infielder Robinson Cano as the venture’s first client, because Jay-Z.
Ever the master of image cultivation, Jay-z has gotten CAA Sports, a division of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a leading entertainment and sports agency, to co-represent Cano with Roc Nation Sports. Here’s Jay-Z’s thoughts on his latest entrepreneurial adventure:
“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.”
In order to sign with Roc Nation Sports, the 30 year old four time All-Star left MLB super agent Scott Boras. Cano, who is named after baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson, wears number 24 in honor of the Brooklyn Dodger great’s number 42, which had been retired by the time Cano entered the league. In yet another sign that Jay-Z has his tenticles all over pop culture, the rapper-turned-Nets-minority owner’s “Brooklyn We Go Hard” has been used heavily in TV spots for the upcoming biopic on Jackie Robinson’s life, 42: The True Story of an American Legend.
“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.”
For baseball purposes, Cano will be represented by a team of agents led by CAA Sports’ Brodie Van Wagenen. But don’t rule out Jay-Z in the future. According to Buster Olney and Darren Rovell of ESPN:
“Sources say Jay-Z himself is planning to be a certified agent, first in baseball and eventually in basketball and football. In order to represent clients in basketball, he would have to give up his small share of the Brooklyn Nets.”
If Jay-Z does give up his tiny share of the Nets, would he be able to sway clients to come to Brooklyn as an agent? Then again, Jay-Z probably wouldn’t let his considerable Brooklyn pride and former ties to the Nets get in the way of getting the best deal for his client, wherever that may come from. After all, Jay-Z isn’t a businessman. He’s a business, man. So let him handle his business, damn.
Read More: RocNation – – Roc Nation Launches Roc Nation Sports + Signs New York Yankees All-Star Robinson Cano
Read More: ESPN Buster Olney and Darren Rovell – – Robinson Cano hires Jay-Z
