Tennis player Roger Federer and longtime agent Tony Godsick are "in the process of forming their own sports agency," according to sources cited by Daniel Kaplan of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Godsick represented Federer "for more than six years at IMG before Godsick and Federer in May parted ways with the company after their contracts ended." Sources said that Godsick's credential at Wimbledon "lists him as being with RF Management." It is "unclear precisely what role Federer will play in the new firm, though it is not unprecedented for an active, star athlete to take a management and equity role in an agency." Federer earns $40-50M annually, "most of that in off-court endorsement deals." The fees for those contracts "still flow to IMG, so revenue for the new group would come initially from any new deals and exhibitions for Federer." Sources said that Godsick has "sought investment money and is believed to have brought on board partners." PR Partners Owner Colin Smeeton said that that activity "would suggest that Godsick's vision must be greater than just representing a few tennis players." Smeeton said that if Federer succeeds, it could be "a template for how stars can stay active in the game once their careers are over" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/2 issue).
