Tennis player Roger Federer and longtime agent Tony Godsick are "in the
process of forming their own sports agency," according to sources cited
by Daniel Kaplan of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Godsick represented Federer
"for more than six years at IMG before Godsick and Federer in May parted
ways with the company after their contracts ended." Sources said that
Godsick's credential at Wimbledon "lists him as being with RF
Management." It is "unclear precisely what role Federer will play in the
new firm, though it is not unprecedented for an active, star athlete to
take a management and equity role in an agency." Federer earns $40-50M
annually, "most of that in off-court endorsement deals." The fees for
those contracts "still flow to IMG, so revenue for the new group would
come initially from any new deals and exhibitions for Federer." Sources
said that Godsick has "sought investment money and is believed to have
brought on board partners." PR Partners owner Colin Smeeton said that
that activity "would suggest that Godsick's vision must be greater than
just representing a few tennis players." Smeeton said that if Federer
succeeds, it could be "a template for how stars can stay active in the
game once their careers are over" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/2 issue).
