Klutch Sports Group Explained

Klutch Sports Group
Foundation:2012
Area Served:Worldwide
Industry:Sports management
Founder:Rich Paul
Location:Los Angeles, California, U.S.[1]
Num Employees:100
Num Employees Year:2024

Klutch Sports Group is an American sports agency based in Los Angeles, California, founded by sports agent and chief executive officer Rich Paul. Klutch Sports Group represents nearly 200 players in the NBA, NFL, MLB, and WNBA. It has offices in Atlanta, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York. In mid-2024, Klutch Sports Group began expanding into Europe following the takeover of a major German soccer agency.

History

Klutch Sports Group was founded in 2012 by Rich Paul.[2] [3]

In 2003, after the NBA draft, LeBron James asked Paul to be a part of his small inner circle, along with James' childhood friends Maverick Carter and Randy Mims.[4] Paul quickly obliged. He would later start working under Leon Rose, who had negotiated James' extension with the Cavaliers in 2006, at Creative Artists Agency (CAA).[5]

In 2012, Paul left Rose and Creative Artists Agency to start his own agency, Klutch Sports Group. His first clients were James, Eric Bledsoe, Tristan Thompson, and Cory Joseph.[5]

In 2013, Paul enlisted agent and attorney Mark Termini to run the NBA contract negotiations for Klutch.[6] [7]

In 2016 and 2017, Fara Leff was already known as Klutch Sports Group's chief operating officer (COO).[8] [9]

In 2019, United Talent Agency (UTA) made a "significant" financial investment in Klutch Sports Group. According to Jeremy Zimmer, chief executive officer (CEO) of United Talent Agency, Paul "maintains control as operator of his business".[10] United Talent Agency asked Paul to run its sports division through a partnership with Klutch and expand to represent NFL and WNBA players.[11]

In 2020, Paul accepted a position on United Talent Agency's board of directors.[12] [13] Paul also expanded its clientele at Klutch to include the National Football League (NFL) by hiring former player Damarius Bilbo.[14] Bilbo was chosen to lead the Football division of Klutch Sports Group.[15] In April 2020, Klutch Sports Group acquired Tidal Sports Group from San Clemente, marking its "entry into baseball representation". Tidal Sports Group founder Brodie Scoffield was named to lead Klutch's Baseball division.[1] Also, in 2020, NBA agent Omar Wilkes became head of the Basketball division of Klutch Sports.[16] By the conclusion of their agreement in 2020, Termini had negotiated $1.4 billion in NBA contracts for Klutch Sports clients from 2014 through 2019.[17]

In 2021, Klutch Sports Group was named among Time magazine's 100 Most Influential Companies.[18] That same year, Klutch hired sports agent Nicole Lynn as president of Football operations.[19]

In February 2020, Klutch Sports Group launched its Women's Basketball division, led soon after by Jade-Li English.[20] [21]

In the summer of 2023, Klutch Sports Group contracts worth almost $900 million were concluded just for Paul's NBA clients.[22] In December 2023, Klutch acquired the baseball agency, Rep 1.[23] Rep 1 CEO Chris Koras was named head of Klutch Baseball.[24] By October 2023, Klutch Sports Group had nearly 200 professional athletes[25] on its NBA, WNBA, NFL, and MLB rosters.[26]

Klutch Sports Group had more than 100 employees as of mid-2024, with offices in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York,[22] and Cleveland.[27] In June 2024, United Talent Agency acquired Germany's biggest soccer player agency, Representatives Of Outstanding Footballers (ROOF), and integrated it into Klutch Sports Group.[28] The soccer agency, which has offices in Munich, London, and Madrid, represents 150 clients in the "Big Five" European leagues: the German Bundesliga, English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, French Ligue 1, and Italian Serie A. Björn Bezemer, co-founder and managing director of Representatives Of Outstanding Footballers, was appointed head of Klutch Global Football.[26] In early September 2024, it was announced that New York City FC (soccer) had tapped Klutch Sports Group to coordinate partnerships for the Stadium Experience Center, a new 25,000-seat soccer-specific stadium in Queens, New York, slated to open in 2027. Klutch, through its Global Partnerships division, will sell NYCFC's primary sponsorship program, the "Founding Partnerships", to interested brands.[29]

Athletes

NBA

Klutch Sports represents the following NBA athletes:

NFL

Klutch Sports has represented the following NFL athletes, either currently or formerly:

NCAA Men's Basketball

Klutch Sports represents the following men's college basketball athletes:

NCAA Women's Basketball

Notes and References

  1. Selbe . Nick . April 3, 2020 . Klutch Sports Acquires Tidal Sports as New Baseball Branch . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240915123419/https://www.si.com/mlb/2020/04/03/klutch-sports-baseball-rich-paul-acquisition-lebron-james . September 15, 2024 . September 15, 2024.
  2. News: Vorkunov . Mike . Rich Paul, KSP sued for $4.9 million over alleged breach of contract . 2024-07-24 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  3. News: 2023-10-10 . Klutch CEO Rich Paul on the changing business of sports . 2024-07-24 . Washington Post . en-US . 0190-8286.
  4. Web site: The chosen's one. Chris. Broussard. ESPN. December 25, 2012.
  5. Web site: LeBron James Leaves CAA, Childhood Friend will Represent Him . International Business Times . September 13, 2012 . August 18, 2014.
  6. Web site: Zillgitt . Jeff . LeBron James rep Klutch Sports adds top agent Termini . USA Today . USA Today . 8 June 2021 . January 15, 2013.
  7. Web site: Price . S.L. . The King Maker: Why Rich Paul Will Own the NBA Summer . SI.com . SI.com . 8 June 2021 . June 12, 2019.
  8. News: Brodesser-Akner . Taffy . June 22, 2016 . Ben Simmons' Master Plan . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20231126155234/http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/enterprise-simmons160622/projected-top-draft-pick-ben-simmons-all-planned-out . November 26, 2023 . September 14, 2024.
  9. News: February 14, 2017 . Still No Timetable For Ben Simmons' Debut . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240914222045/https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/timetable-ben-simmons-debut/ . September 14, 2024 . September 14, 2024.
  10. News: Vardon . Joe . July 17, 2019 . Way past LeBron: Global talent firm UTA buys into Rich Paul's Klutch Sports Group with eye toward major expansion . live . . https://archive.today/20240704073857/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1078398/2019/07/17/way-past-lebron-global-talent-firm-uta-buys-into-rich-pauls-klutch-sports-group-with-eye-toward-major-expansion/ . July 4, 2024 . September 15, 2024.
  11. Web site: Skipper. Clay. Rich Paul Is Rewriting the Rulebook. 2021-02-09. GQ. 16 December 2019 . en-us.
  12. Web site: McNary. Dave. 2020-07-27. LeBron James' Agent Rich Paul Named to UTA Board. 2021-02-09. Variety. en-US.
  13. News: Stein. Marc. 2019-07-17. LeBron James's Agent, Rich Paul, Starts a Sports Division at a Hollywood Firm (Published 2019). en-US. The New York Times. 2021-02-10. 0362-4331.
  14. Web site: Skipper. Clay. Meet the Super-Agent Who Rich Paul's Betting on to Take Over the NFL. 2021-02-10. GQ. 14 January 2020 . en-us.
  15. News: Hipes . Patrick . January 14, 2020 . UTA-Backed Klutch Sports Group To Tackle Football With Revolution Agency Buy . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20221005220048/https://deadline.com/2020/01/klutch-sports-group-revolution-sports-agency-acquisition-nfl-uta-1202830167/ . October 5, 2022 . September 14, 2024.
  16. News: Wojnarowski . Adrian . June 24, 2020 . Agent Omar Wilkes to be Klutch Sports' head of basketball, allowing Rich Paul to expand reach . live . . https://archive.today/20240914212507/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29359355/agent-omar-wilkes-klutch-sports-head-basketball-allowing-rich-paul-expand-reach . September 14, 2024 . September 14, 2024.
  17. Stein . Marc . TheSteinLine . 1362801667574427650 . February 19, 2021 . Mark Termini, the longtime agent and attorney who led negotiations on the $1.4 billion in NBA contracts closed by Klutch Sports from 2014-2019, is no longer affiliated with the agency, league sources say. . en . June 11, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210304073654/https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1362801667574427650 . March 4, 2021 . live.
  18. Gregory . Sean . April 26, 2021 . 2021 Time100 Most Influential Companies − Klutch Sports Group . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240909180159/https://time.com/collection/time100-companies/5953585/klutch-sports/ . September 9, 2024 . September 9, 2024.
  19. News: July 14, 2021 . 'I'm The Glue For My Guys': Agent Nicole Lynn On Representing Jalen Hurts, Quinnen Williams & Book 'Agent You' . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240914210519/https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nicole-lynn-agent-interview/ . September 14, 2024 . September 14, 2024.
  20. News: Yamashita . Andy . February 17, 2022 . Las Vegas Aces stars join Rich Paul's Klutch Sports . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240528061329/https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/aces/las-vegas-aces-stars-join-rich-pauls-klutch-sports-2531130/ . May 28, 2024 . September 14, 2024.
  21. News: Hernandez . Victoria . July 14, 2023 . Agent Jade-Li English has five clients in WNBA All-Star Game. This is how she got here. . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240914214810/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/2023/07/14/agent-jade-li-english-speaks-on-having-five-clients-in-wnba-all-star/70410557007/ . September 14, 2024 . September 14, 2024.
  22. News: Whitaker . Bill . Bill Whitaker (journalist) . June 2, 2024 . First published October 8, 2023 . How sports agent Rich Paul rewrites the playbook for representing pro athletes . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240909191728/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sports-agent-rich-paul-60-minutes-transcript/ . September 9, 2024 . September 17, 2024.
  23. Web site: 2023-12-14 . Klutch Sports Group moves into baseball with acquisition of Rep 1 Baseball . 2024-07-24 . www.sportsbusinessjournal.com . en.
  24. Earl . William . December 14, 2023 . UTA Moves: Klutch Sports Group Buys Rep 1 Baseball Agency; Jay Sures Named Board Chair of Triad National Security . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20231217141231/https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/klutch-sport-rep-1-jay-sures-triad-los-alamos-1235840576/ . December 17, 2023 . September 14, 2024.
  25. News: Whitaker . Bill . Bill Whitaker (journalist) . Chasan . Aliza . Lieberman . Marc . McDonald . Cassidy . October 10, 2023 . Sports agent Rich Paul takes big swings negotiating deals for athletes . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240612120254/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rich-paul-klutch-sports-group-success-60-minutes/ . June 12, 2024 . September 17, 2024.
  26. Weprin . Alex . June 10, 2024 . UTA Acquires European Soccer Agency Roof as Klutch Expands Global Reach . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240901132325/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/uta-acquires-european-soccer-agency-roof-klutch-sports-1235918441/ . September 1, 2024 . September 14, 2024.
  27. Hayden . Erik . July 17, 2019 . UTA Partners With LeBron James' Agent Rich Paul for Sports Division . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240914110827/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/uta-partners-lebron-james-agent-rich-paul-sports-division-1224852/ . September 14, 2024 . September 15, 2024.
  28. News: Whittock . Jesse . June 10, 2024 . UTA Scores Deal To Buy Europe Soccer Agency Roof . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240901131751/https://deadline.com/2024/06/uta-buys-european-soccer-agency-roof-1235968864/ . September 1, 2024 . September 14, 2024.
  29. News: Clinkscales . Jason . September 5, 2024 . NYCFC Taps Klutch to Sell Premier Sponsorships for New Stadium . live . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240915105004/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nycfc-taps-klutch-sell-premier-133000416.html . September 15, 2024 . September 15, 2024.
  30. Web site: Chris Fedor. 2022 NBA Draft: MarJon Beauchamp joining Malaki Branham and others in 'group' workout for Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday. Cleveland.com. June 8, 2022. June 24, 2022.
  31. Web site: Jordan Greer. Rich Paul's top clients: Klutch Sports Group agent's NBA roster goes well beyond LeBron James. Sporting News. October 20, 2021. March 7, 2022.
  32. Web site: Justin Alvarado. Every client of Klutch Sports. ClutchPoints. June 30, 2020. July 7, 2021.
  33. Web site: Austin Boyd. Lakers Sign Ex-Bulls Forward, Former 1st-Round Pick Who Is Klutch Client. Heavy. June 30, 2022. July 1, 2022.
  34. Web site: Brendan Bowers. Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson signs with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports. USA Today. June 25, 2019. July 5, 2022.
  35. Barling . Damien . damienbarling . 1592032784461500417 . November 14, 2022 . Reporting with @James_HamNBA De'Aaron Fox has moved on from Chris Gaston and Family First Sports Firm and is joining Klutch Sports. This is a huge step for the 24 year old Sacramento Kings guard. . en . April 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221118015146/https://twitter.com/damienbarling/status/1592032784461500417 . November 18, 2022 . live.
  36. Web site: 2021-09-14. Agent: Gordon, Nuggets agree to $92M extension. 2021-12-17. ESPN.com. en.
  37. Web site: Rich Paul Client List. RealGM. July 7, 2021.
  38. Web site: NBA prospect Jaden Hardy has long drawn Beal comparisons. NBC Sports Washington. June 7, 2022. June 24, 2022.
  39. Web site: Coming in Klutch – Los Angeles Lakers Benefit From Klutch Sports Clients Since LeBron James Arrived. Essentially Sports. April 7, 2021. July 7, 2021.
  40. Web site: Nikki Finke. LeBron James Leaves CAA With Agent Pal; Start Of Sports Representation Shake-Up?. Deadline Hollywood. September 13, 2012. July 5, 2022.
  41. Web site: Bill Reiter. Why Bronny James' success with the Lakers could depend on LeBron getting out the way. CBS Sports. June 29, 2024. October 20, 2024.
  42. Web site: Jeff Garcia. Spurs' Keldon Johnson signs with Klutch Sports. KENS. November 16, 2021. June 24, 2022.
  43. Web site: Bruce Pascoe. 'Skilled' Henri Veesaar finds fit with internationally minded Arizona Wildcats. Longview News-Journal. May 25, 2022. June 24, 2022.
  44. Web site: LeBron James welcomes Zach LaVine to Klutch Sports Group. 2021-12-17. RSN. en.
  45. Web site: Rachel Gossen. Phoenix Suns' Jalen Lecque signs with Klutch Sports Group. KMVP-FM. October 3, 2020. July 5, 2022.
  46. Web site: Sanjesh Singh. Lakers news: Kendrick Nunn signs with Klutch Sports Group. USA Today Sports Weekly. September 30, 2021. March 7, 2022.
  47. Web site: Trail Blazers, Jusuf Nurkić agree to 4-year, $70 million deal. The Athletic. July 1, 2022. July 1, 2022.
  48. Web site: Bryce Smith. Scotty Pippen Jr. impresses at NBA Combine, signs with Klutch Sports Group. The Vanderbilt Hustler. May 26, 2022. June 24, 2022.
  49. Web site: Khobi Price. Magic's Terrence Ross not worrying about potential trade as rumors pick up. Orlando Sentinel. December 16, 2021. July 5, 2022.
  50. Web site: Sean Keane. Warriors say "Adios" as Juan Toscano-Anderson signs with Lakers. SB Nation. June 30, 2022. July 1, 2022.
  51. Web site: Dave McMenamin. Los Angeles Lakers add Lonnie Walker IV, Damian Jones, Troy Brown Jr., Juan Toscano-Anderson duri.... WABC-TV. June 30, 2022. July 1, 2022.
  52. Web site: Kurt Helin. Rich Paul wants to clear record: Klutch Sports didn't push Westbrook for Wall trade. NBC Sports. February 22, 2022. March 7, 2022.
  53. Web site: Chris Kirschner. Inside the pursuit: Why Trae Young signed with Klutch Sports and what it means. The Athletic. June 30, 2020. October 18, 2022.
  54. Web site: NFL Agents Tracker. 2022-02-13. Spotrac.com. en-US.
  55. Web site: NFL Agents Tracker. 2022-02-13. Spotrac.com. en-US.

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