Octagon's Peter Carlisle Profiled As High-Profile Olympic Agent Who Has Maine In His Blood

Octagon Managing Dir of Olympic & Action Sports PETER CARLISLE "represents some of the most powerful Olympic athletes of all time," so the fact that he takes up residence in Maine "might surprise some people," according to Mike Lowe of the Portland PRESS HERALD. Carlisle's clients include swimmer MICHAEL PHELPS, speedskater APOLO ANTON OHNO and gymnast ALY RAISMAN. Those who know Carlisle and have "watched him negotiate sponsorships for his clients use the same words to describe him: laid-back, smart, intuitive, creative, hard-working, competitive." He "seldom loses, whether it's at golf or board games." Carlisle: "You're going to come up against people who are smarter than you, wealthier than you, have more resources, have some other edge. But I've always had that confidence that I could outwork anybody." Octagon Communications Dir of Olympic & Action Sports DREW JOHNSON said of Carlisle, "He's very intuitive. His creativity and ability to see things unfold before they transpire is really remarkable." Lowe noted Carlisle is "unlike many other agents" in that while some "actively recruit clients in mainstream sports, Carlisle tends to be a little more selective." Of "perhaps 100 new potential clients each year, Octagon signs maybe three in his division." Carlisle also "does not receive a commission from his clients," despite the fact that agents "typically receive" a 15-20% commission in the Olympic/action sports industry. Phelps said, "The thing that separated Peter from all of them is the first thing he said to me -- 'What can I do for you?'" Carlisle "travels less these days." He said that there are prospective clients he "knows he won't get as soon as he says he's based in Maine." Still, he is "willing to risk losing a client or two to stay where his heart is" (Portland PRESS HERALD, 8/25).