Klutch Sports' Rich Paul to Lead United Talent Agency's Sports Division
NBA agent Rich Paul was named the head of United Talent Agency's new sports division Wednesday, Klutch Sports announced.
Marc Stein of the New York Times first reported the news.
Paul runs Klutch Sports Group. Per Stein, "The alliance calls for Klutch, with Paul as chief executive, to operate as United Talent's sports division while retaining its own branding."
Paul represents 23 NBA players, including Los Angeles Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
United Talent Agency chief executive Jeremy Zimmer said of the partnership with Paul:
"We've been looking for the right sports opportunity for quite a while. We have taken a significant stake in Klutch, but Rich retains very substantial controls because we want it to be his business and we love what he's doing. ...
"All these things have a connectivity and a power in the culture today like we've never seen before. And so, for U.T.A. to be a fully built media company, we had to be directly connected to the athlete — not just through sponsorships and endorsements but directly to them in every aspect of their life in a real way."
UTA is a major Hollywood firm that represents actors such as Angelina Jolie and Kevin Hart. By starting a sports division, it will have the opportunity to reap the benefits of superstar athletes as well.
The 37-year-old Paul is a Cleveland native who became close friends with James in 2002. In 2012, Paul started Klutch Sports Group, and LeBron was his first client.
Klutch Sports has grown into one of the top agencies that represent NBA stars. Paul has landed Davis, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, Washington Wizards guard John Wall and Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons, among others.
Given his connections within the NBA and his relationship with James, Paul has the resources to build an impressive stable of athletes for UTA.
