Gersh Acquires Paragon Sports, Eyes Basketball, Golf Agents

The Gersh Agency COO HUGH DODSON said that the firm has acquired agent JOE LONGO’s baseball practice, Paragon Sports Management, and is “in talks to acquire the practices of at least one basketball agent and a golf agent,” according to Liz Mullen of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Longo, marketing agent MATT WALKER and “three other employees will join Gersh.” In acquiring Paragon, Gersh adds 35 player clients, 14 of which are on MLB rosters, as well as mixed martial arts fighter RANDY COUTURE. Gersh “launched into sports” with the acquisition of football player agents STEVE FELDMAN and JOSH LUCHS in April ’06. Dodson said, “We plan on growing a fully integrated sports marketing and representation firm” (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/19 issue).