Super Bowl MVP and Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller is being co-represented on and off the field by two agents at two agencies, Vanguard Sports Group and Athletes First.
It’s common these days for athletes to have separate firms for contract and marketing work, but Miller’s situation is a bit unusual.
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The first deal may be a franchise tag by the Broncos.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
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He was represented at Athletes First by agents Joby Branion and Carmen Wallace since he was drafted with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. But in September 2014, Branion, one of the founders of Athletes First, left that firm to form his own agency, Vanguard, which is based in Chapel Hill, N.C.
After the move, Miller decided to continue to be represented by both Branion and Wallace.
Moving into the offseason, Miller may be one of the most sought-after league free agents if the Broncos don’t place a franchise tag on him before NFL free agency begins on March 9.
Both Branion and Wallace shied away from questions about Miller’s free agency or whether the Broncos might tag him. “I have no knowledge of that,” Branion said last week, when asked about it.
NFL clubs can tag players between Feb. 16 and March 1. Although the numbers were not available at press time, a linebacker tag is expected to be somewhere around $14 million for one year, but Miller could get substantially more money than that over a longer period if he is a free agent.
Although Miller’s agents are working together, Branion is leading the contract negotiations and Wallace is leading the marketing talks with companies.
Miller’s endorsement deals include national deals with Beats by Dre, Odd Sox, Chef’s Cut, Adidas and Stetson Hats. He also has a regional deal with BMW in the Denver area. Miller has a profit-sharing deal with sock company Odd Sox and an equity stake in Chef’s Cut, which produces hand-cut, premium beef jerky.
The linebacker, who had 2 1/2 sacks, six tackles and two forced fumbles in the Super Bowl, is interested in fashion and began a new diet of healthier food prior to the 2015 season, Wallace said. Miller is interested in deals that are authentic to him as a person.
“We have received calls from large national companies and discussions are ongoing,” Wallace said.
