Sandy Montag, senior corporate vice president and managing director of IMG Clients, has signed Eric LeGrand for broadcasting work and is in talks about a book deal for the former Rutgers defensive tackle, who was paralyzed from the neck down in a game in 2010.
 |
Eric LeGrand (right) was an analyst for Rutgers radio broadcasts last season.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
|
IMG has had meetings with networks about a broadcasting job for LeGrand, who majored in broadcasting and is due to graduate in the fall, Montag said. IMG also has been in talks with publishers about a book deal for LeGrand, who has been able to stand and walk on a treadmill with assistance since his injury Oct. 16, 2010.
“He will do a book that I think will be inspiring for people in a similar situation,” Montag said. “I think he is going to walk again.”
IMG represents more than 250 broadcasters. Montag declined to identify any of the networks or publishers with whom IMG has been speaking.
Montag is a Syracuse alumnus, and Syracuse in 2010 played Rutgers a few weeks after the game in which LeGrand was paralyzed. Montag sought out Rutgers Athletic Director Tim Pernetti after reading that LeGrand wanted to be a broadcaster.
Pernetti helped Montag meet LeGrand weeks after the accident.
“I spent a few hours with him,” Montag said. “I wanted to feel sorry for him, but he inspired me. When you are with him, you never feel sorry for him. He is never down and he never has a bad day.”
A source said IMG will donate any commissions on work the agency does for LeGrand to paralysis research. Montag would not comment on that, saying only that working with LeGrand “isn’t about money.”
