Jay-Z Announces Roc Nation Sports, Signs Robinson Cano
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation has announced today the launch of Roc Nation Sports, a full-service sports management company, and has signed MLB All-Star Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees.
Roc Nation Sports, led by Carter and Juan Perez, who serves as President, has partnered with CAA Sports, a division of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a leading entertainment and sports agency, to co-represent Cano.
Jay-Z stated,
“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.”
A four-time MLB All-Star, Cano is a member of the Yankees’ 2009 World Series championship team, a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and two-time Gold Glove Award winner. Since his Major League debut in May 2005, he leads all second basemen in hits, doubles, and RBIs and has more home runs than any second baseman in Yankees history.
The son of former Major League player José Cano, he wears No. 24 to honor Jackie Robinson, after whom he is named and whose No. 42 is retired in baseball. In 2011, the Cano family established the RC24 Foundation to provide help and hope to sick and underprivileged children in New York City and the Dominican Republic.
“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.”
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.
“Jay Z and his team at Roc Nation have successfully orchestrated powerful brand and business-building opportunities for their clients,” said Michael Levine, Co-Head, CAA Sports. “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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