When entrepreneur and
VaynerMedia CEO
Gary Vaynerchuk dipped into the sports agent business last year by buying a small NFL player representation shop, he expected his first year to be a time to set the table for success down the road.
“I was really hoping in year one, we’d have solid third-, fourth-, fifth-round picks,” Vaynerchuk said last week. “I was very aware, even though I had accomplished things in the past, I didn’t want to get ahead of ourselves, I knew we had to make a name for ourselves.”
Instead, the company, which was formed last June when Vaynerchuk acquired a majority stake in New York-based Symmetry, scored “a massive home run,” he said.
VaynerSports has signed three players for the NFL draft: Tennessee running back Alvin Kamara, Tennessee linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Kentucky center Jon Toth. Brian McLaughlin and Mook Williams, formerly of Symmetry and now of VaynerSports, are representing the players.
Vaynerchuk said the three have the potential to be second- or third-round picks.
Both Toth and Reeves-Maybin have NFL combine invitations, and Kamara, an underclassman, is expected to receive one, McLaughlin said. Reeves-Maybin suffered a season-ending injury last October but had successful surgery, McLaughlin said. “We’re cautiously optimistic that he’ll be ready for the combine in February,” he said.
Website NFLDraftScout.com had Kamara rated No. 7 out of 221 running backs last week and had Toth ranked No. 5 out of 104 centers.
Vaynerchuk said the agency may add one or two more draft picks to its first class, but he is already more than pleased with the first year’s success. Representing NFL players is only step one.
“I fully intend to build the premier sports representation business in the world,” said Vaynerchuk, who is also a speaker and best-selling author. “I don’t get into something for kicks and giggles.”
Vaynerchuk said the next two sports he is eyeing for expansion are NBA and esports, but he would not give a time frame for future acquisitions. “I want to dig really deep into football,” he said.
> SES SIGNS RECORD-BREAKING KICKER: University of Idaho kicker and punter Austin Rehkow, who made national news when he kicked a 67-yard field goal in high school, has signed with Stellato Enhanced Sports for representation in the draft.
SES founder and agent Sean Stellato will represent Rehkow, who set the Washington state high school record when he kicked a 67-yard field goal for Central Valley High in Spokane, Wash. (The national high school record is 68 yards.)
The longest field goal in NFL history is 64 yards, set by the Detroit Lions’ Matt Prater on Dec. 8, 2013, when he was with the Denver Broncos.
Stellato said that Rehkow was heavily recruited by other agents and that he expects him to be drafted. He also averages 48 yards as a punter.
“His leg and consistency makes him a special player alone,” Stellato said. “Couple that with the fact that he can punt and kick makes him that much more intriguing. In today’s NFL, teams are looking for solid players and roster flexibility. He provides both and is a true hybrid.”
SES has also signed wide receiver Billy Brown from Division II Shepherd University.
> MDR SPORTS SIGNS MLB PLAYERS: MDR Sports has signed St. Louis Cardinals shortstop/third baseman Jhonny Peralta and Boston Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez.
Melvin Roman, founder of Puerto Rico-based MDR, will represent Peralta and Vazquez.
Peralta was formerly represented by Independent Sports & Entertainment. Vazquez was formerly represented by Wasserman.
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> OCTAGON SIGNS DAY: Octagon has signed 17-year-old tennis player Kayla Day for representation.
Agent Alex Sohaili will represent Day, who won the 2016 U.S. Open girls singles championship.
Day is turning professional at the Australian Open, and Octagon will work on getting her endorsements.
Liz Mullen can be reached at lmullen@sportsbusinessjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @SBJLizMullen.
