Agent Joe Panos, who was involved in recruiting five first-round NFL Draft picks in the last two years, has joined prominent NFL player representation firm Athletes First. Panos, who left longtime NFL player agency Lock, Metz & Malinovic under amicable terms late last month, said in a telephone call last night that he would start today. Neither Panos nor Athletes First would reveal terms of his employment agreement. Athletes First Chair & CEO David Dunn, in a statement to SportsBusiness Journal, said, "We were very impressed by Joe’s commitment to forming personal relationships with his clients while offering the same high level of services that Athletes First provides to our clients." Prior to becoming an agent in '09, Panos played offensive guard for the Eagles and the Bills. He said he first met Dunn seven years ago at the wedding of former NFLer Rob Johnson, who was a friend of Panos and a client of Dunn's. Panos said he spoke with four firms, including Athletes First, before deciding to join that firm and his relationship with Dunn was a factor in his decision. Panos and LMM will continue to co-represent Patriots DE Chandler Jones, Bengals G Kevin Zeitler and Packers DE Nick Perry, who were drafted in the first round this year, as well as Cowboys OT Tyron Smith and Eagles G Danny Watkins.
