With Thunder F Kevin Durant becoming a free agent July 1, this summer represents the "biggest chance yet" for Roc Nation Sports to "show it’s more than flash and bravado," according to Rick Maese of the WASHINGTON POST. While basketball observers increasingly feel Durant "might be sticking around" with the Thunder for "at least the short term, the folks around Roc Nation are giving away few secrets about what kind of contract might be in store." Durant's agent Rich Kleiman said, "We know this is a big deal and a big moment in his career. ... We can’t let the pressure of the situation be bigger than it is." Maese notes three years after "first dipping its blinged-out toes into the sports-world waters, Roc Nation remains something of a mystery." While some observers expected Roc Nation to be a "mega-agency by now, its employees insist the business works best as a high-end boutique operation." There are "branding experts, a social media team, a group focused on digital growth" and another "on philanthropy." Agency Founder Jay Z’s "deep pockets allow them to put their clients’ interests ahead of their business interests." Roc Nation President & Chief of Branding Strategy Michael Yormark said, "We’re fortunate that our sports division is part of a bigger company. We can afford to be selective. Listen, we could have 100 athletes today if we wanted them. That’s not what the goal here is" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/27).
