LeBron James cuts agent . . .

[albionmoonlight]

. . . and replaces him with his high school buddies. So does this mean that the business affairs of the most marketable American athlete not named Tiger are now being managed by a group of guys two years out of high school?

This has bad idea written all over it, but I guess when you already have $100+ million in the bank, you can start putting your friends on the payroll with no real damage.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/basketball/nba/05/10/james.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

[rkmsuf]

I guess he really doesn't need a big time agent since he's his own entity so to speak. He's bright too so I don't see this as bad. Set's the stage for his own little "Bad Boy" type organization.

If I were him I'd probably want to do the same thing.

[henry296]

From what I hear, the new guy was a Senior when Lebron was a Freshman and has graduated from the University of Akron.

[stevew]

Yeah, the only contract he will be signing in the NBA is for max dollars, max length. No need for an agent as of yet.

[JeffR]

The guy who'll be handling most of the work is named "Maverick"? Will he be bringing in George Gervin and Jack Givens for advice?

[sabotai]

One plus is that I doubt his friends are gouging out 20% for themselves.

[JasonC23]

The guy who'll be handling most of the work is named "Maverick"?
Just be glad the other guy isn't named Goose or Iceman.

[John Galt]

It reminds me of when Ricky Williams made Master P his agent. That worked out well.

[Hammer755]

Just be glad the other guy isn't named Goose or Iceman.
I preferred JeffR's response just a bit better - he made me work for the punchline. :D

[stevew]

It reminds me of when Ricky Williams made Master P his agent. That worked out well.


Yeah, but these are very different types of situations. In basketball, Bron has to say, "I want the max, max years" and they sign him for it. In football, the contract strutures are way different. In basketball, if you are an elite player, you are almost a fool to pay an agent 20%. Ray allen didnt for his last contract, he paid something like 5-10K to have a lawyer read and double check it for himself.

[John Galt]

Yeah, but these are very different types of situations. In basketball, Bron has to say, "I want the max, max years" and they sign him for it. In football, the contract strutures are way different. In basketball, if you are an elite player, you are almost a fool to pay an agent 20%. Ray allen didnt for his last contract, he paid something like 5-10K to have a lawyer read and double check it for himself.

But you are forgetting an agent's biggest job in today's market - negotiating sponsorship deals. And Master P could have drawn up a standard slotted draft pick contract, but they decided to go heavy on the incentives. Letting untrained people act as agents is just asking for trouble. Negotiating the NBA contract is easy, but the rest of it isn't for some high school friend.

[Emiliano]

It reminds me of when Ricky Williams made Master P his agent. That worked out well.

LOL!!! Did he really do this??? Man, Ricky Williams sure smokes too much... :D

[judicial clerk]

What agent makes 20%?!?! I thought they got 3%. 5% tops.

I wonder if aleBron's former agent and the duckling guy are the same person?

[sabotai]

What agent makes 20%?!?! I thought they got 3%. 5% tops.
EDIT: I've been looking around trying to find a good source. It seems that most places are saying 3% is standard for an agent.

[Senator]

I imagine the teams reps trying to keep from laughing as the new agent comes walking in with a serious look on his face.

[stevew]

LOL!!! Did he really do this??? Man, Ricky Williams sure smokes too much... :D

I believe it wasnt exactly Master P, but rather an agency he started with a few friends. Knock P for being a drug slinger, or crappy rapper, but he's made millions.

[Young Drachma]

Apparently, this friend of LeBron's has been working for Nike for the past two years. Like, they've been grooming him for this job. So, it wasn't so much a surprise, as it's someone close to him that he trusts. I don't think that's a bad decision. Not that the guy's he had were bad. But it's business and I doubt he wants to go hiring someone who'll cost him long-term cash.

But this has to be cheaper, as he stands to gain a windfall.

[judicial clerk]

Hiring his friend to represent him is a really bad idea.

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

Master P did not negotiate Ricky Williams' deal himself, Master P started a management company and hired lawyers to manage the athletes. They said the guy that negotiated Williams deal spoke like 5 languages but obviously that did not help his negotiating ability.

[Deattribution]

Master P did not negotiate Ricky Williams' deal himself, Master P started a management company and hired lawyers to manage the athletes. They said the guy that negotiated Williams deal spoke like 5 languages but obviously that did not help his negotiating ability.


Apparently english wasn't one of them, cause he got seriously hosed.

[Greyroofoo]

How hard is it to say "Fork it over!"

[tucker342]

One plus is that I doubt his friends are gouging out 20% for themselves.
they're just probably smoking Lebron's weed.





*note: This post doesn't represent the views or opinions of the poster (Someone in Lebron's spot would have to be EXTREMELY stupid to smoke weed)... it was supposed to be a joke because that's what the poster's friends would do if they were to become the poster's agent. The poster also does not endorse the smoking of Ganja, although he would like to say it is very fun. Thank you.*