LEIGH STEINBERG is profiled by USA TODAY's Bill Meyers
in a front-page cover story. Steinberg "thinks way outside
the box. ... And as one of sports' most powerful and
persuasive agents, he's convinced his 65 NFL clients ...
that they can be rich, responsible role models who earn big
dollars and perform good deeds." Although his firm has
negotiated more than $1B worth of sports contracts since
'92, Steinberg said, "If the sole effect of my being an
agent is boosting salaries and raising ticket prices, I
can't see that. ... My dad brought me up to be a social
activist." Steinberg is "diversifying beyond sports -- into
entertainment, politics and technology." He is trying to
bring an NFL team to Hollywood Park, but he would not sell
his firm to become team owner. Instead "he probably would
develop an interactive sports theme park adjacent to a new
football stadium." Steinberg is also helping CA-based video
game publisher Interplay Productions hold an IPO, and is
working with MotionVideo, which "sells a digitized video
sports trading card" (USA TODAY, 11/7).
