WME has quietly signed a deal to co-represent Magic C Dwight Howard for all his off-court deals, the third sports superstar to sign with the Hollywood talent firm in the last few months. WME board member and partner Dave Wirtschafter and WME marketing and sports agent Jill Smoller will co-represent Howard, with his NBA player agent, LaGardere Unlimited Basketball President Dan Fegan, and Kevin Samples, CEO of Dwight Howard Enterprises. “I believe Dwight has the potential to be an iconic athlete, not just nationally, but globally, and we are broadening and strengthening his marketing team by partnering with WME,” Fegan said in a telephone interview with SportsBusiness Journal today.
WME has been working for Howard for several weeks, but the relationship has not even been announced internally at WME, sources said. Fegan has a long standing relationship with Wirtschafter and Smoller and has worked with WME on marketing for other player clients in the past. Howard is the third major sports superstar signed by WME in recent months. The agency has signed Jets QB Tim Tebow and former NFLer Jason Taylor in the last several weeks for marketing and other work. WME will represent Howard for all non-NBA playing opportunities, including marketing, endorsements, speaking engagements, books, television and film.
