Longtime Nets and Barclays Center exec Brett Yormark has resurfaced as President of Business Operations & Strategy for Roc Nation and co-CEO of Roc Nation Unified, a new division. His first day on the new job will be tomorrow. Roc Nation Unified will offer marketing, branding, sponsorship, communications and philanthropic services to athletes and musicians, along with venues, brands and sports properties. The new unit will compete with consulting and sales agency heavyweights like AEG, Legends, Octagon and Endeavor. Brett’s twin brother, Michael, will be the new unit’s other co-CEO, based in London. Mike Zavodsky, former CRO of BSE Global, joined Roc Nation in August as President of Sports & Event Sales.
Brett Yormark did not reveal any new brand or property clients, but he noted the NFL is already a client; Roc Nation is consulting on the league's live entertainment efforts, including Super Bowl Halftime. “It's about expanding (Roc Nation’s) influence beyond athletes and artists,” Yormark said. “This reminds me of when I joined NASCAR (in '98) in terms of potential. Roc Nation’s position at the intersection of sports and entertainment is unique, especially at a time when everyone is looking for content.”
Yormark left BSE Global last month after 14-plus years when the Nets and Barclays Center were sold to Joe Tsai. Yormark said that while teams reached out to him, “I felt like I’d been there, done that.” He also explored opportunities in boxing, but ultimately decided, “I wanted to go somewhere where I could touch lots of different businesses.” Throughout its 11 years, Jay-Z’ Roc Nation has served as an individual talent agency, representing musical performers including Shakira and Rihanna, while its 6-year-old sports division represents the likes of NFL Giants RB Saquon Barkley and Nets G Kyrie Irving.
