Editor's note: This story is revised from the print edition.
Lagardère Sports has signed a new, long-term employment agreement with NFL agent Joel Segal that promotes him to president of team sports, a new position in the company.
Financial terms of the deal were not announced. Segal will continue to report to Andy Pierce, Lagardère Sports president and CEO for the Americas and president of golf and consulting.
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SEGAL
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Segal was Lagardère Sports president of football. He will continue to run the U.S. football division, which represents 70 NFL players, but his new deal gives him an expanded role at the global agency, as well as more authority to run and build the team sports division.
Segal joined Lagardère Sports in 2010, when the company acquired the former Blue Entertainment Sports Television. It was no secret in agent circles that Segal, who counts Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Justin Houston, Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson and Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack among his clients, was close to the end of his contract with the agency and that other agencies were courting him.
Segal was not available for an interview last week but said in a statement that Lagardère Sports was “an amazing place to work” and could not have been more supportive in helping him grow his practice.
As part of his new role, Segal will oversee Lagardère Sports’ baseball division, led by agents Ryan Ware and Mike Seal. Segal also will lead Lagardère Sports’ development and investment efforts as it builds its talent representation portfolio, including adding other team sports, talent marketing, broadcasting and coaching.
Lagardère Group, which is run by French billionaire Arnaud Lagardère, really started its North American sports business in earnest when it acquired BEST, which included Segal’s practice, as well as NBA and tennis representation divisions and an events, media and television division. Segal signed an extension in 2012.
Pierce was also unavailable last week for an interview, but he said in a statement that he and Segal have become friends. “In a business built on relationships and trust, Joel is one of the most genuine and caring individuals I’ve ever worked with,” Pierce said.
Segal, an NFL agent for 25 years, is known for his ability to sign top talent, including multiple first-round draft picks for the last 11 years in a row. This year he represented five first-round picks, including defensive end DeForest Buckner, who was selected No. 7 by the San Francisco 49ers, and cornerback Eli Apple, who was selected No. 10 by the New York Giants. He has represented 38 first-round draft picks since 2001 and 25 Pro Bowlers.
Lagardère Sports NFL agents and partners Chafie Fields and Greg Barnett and football division executives Geoff Garmhausen and Aileen Gingold will continue to work with Segal.
