The Gersh Agency has acquired sports management firm Steve Feldman & Associates and formed a division called Gersh Sports. With the acquisition, Gersh said it will be the only Hollywood-based talent agency with NFLPA-certified agents representing athletes. STEVE FELDMAN, who reps 30 NFLers, will serve as Gersh Sports Senior VP and focus on recruiting new clients and negotiating contracts. Sports marketing consultant and former NFLer TOI COOK will serve as Senior VP/Business Development and be the primary contact for NFL, NFLPA, NFL Alumni and HOF Player Association relations (The Gersh Agency). Gersh Agency Principal DAVID GERSH said that bringing Feldman and Cook into the 65-agent firm “would allow it to broker NFL contracts in addition to making entertainment deals.” Gersh: “We can offer athletes the full package. We view sports as just another branch of entertainment” (L.A. TIMES, 3/23). DAILY VARIETY’s Michael Fleming reports the Gersh Agency “will broaden into other sports in hopes of developing a client base that lends itself to the marketing and merchandising deals.” Gersh becomes the “second Hollywood agency with a full-fledged sports division,” joining William Morris Agency (DAILY VARIETY, 3/23).
