Paul (r) and UTA have formidable competition in the athlete representation space from CAA Sports and WMEgetty images
Klutch Sports Group's Rich Paul is "breaking into the Hollywood" firmament via its investment from United Talent Agency, and it gives UTA an on-court business as well as "instant credibility" in athlete representation, according to Marisa Guthrie of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. It is an effort by the Jeremy Zimmer-led agency to "establish a sports business amid a content arms race that is looking to athletes as creators." Paul and UTA have "formidable competition" in this space from powerhouse CAA Sports and Endeavor-owned WME (the latter will continue to represent Lebron James and Maverick Carter's SpringHill Entertainment). While UTA's stake in Klutch is described as "significant," some industry observers wonder why the agency "would not insist on buying it outright, thereby gaining more control." CAA is "dominant" in athlete representation, and WME has brokered a "succession of content deals." These days, "seemingly every sports star is vying for a production deal." And now, with UTA, Klutch will be able to offer its non-LeBron players "similarly synergistic opportunities" in TV, film, publishing, speaking and podcasting (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 8/1).
