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Labor and Agents

Rosenhaus adds Starks to help players plan next chapter

D

rew Rosenhaus has hired a longtime client, former NFL cornerback Duane Starks, to a newly created position to help clients take advantage of benefits and programs offered by the NFL and NFL Players Association.

Starks, who has worked as a captain at the NFLPA Players Trust, will start work as director of player career development for Rosenhaus Sports Representation to prepare active NFL players for post-playing careers, and to help the agency’s retired NFL clients. The Miami-based firm represents more than 100 active clients in the NFL. Starks will work full time for the agency while continuing to serve as a captain for the Players Trust.

Starks will not be involved in recruiting, marketing or client maintenance, Rosenhaus said. “This is not a lucrative, money-making position for us. He’s not going to bring in any business or do any recruiting or any negotiating,” he said.

Rosenhaus’ relationship with Starks dates back to 1998, when he recruited him out of the University of Miami and Starks was picked at No. 10 in the draft by the Baltimore Ravens. Starks retired after 10 years in the league, playing for the Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders. He may be best remembered for intercepting a pass and returning it 49 yards for a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXV in 2001, when the Ravens beat the New York Giants.

In his new position at Rosenhaus Sports, Starks will assist clients with post-playing career planning. In addition to medical and wellness services, the NFL and NFLPA provide continuing education programs and guidance in areas such as post-career development in broadcasting and entrepreneurship.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to work with all of his clients and make sure their needs don’t slip through the cracks,” Starks said. “Throughout their NFL careers, guys are busy. And, of course, Drew has his day-to-day negotiations and day-to-day routine for getting those players on a team. But it’s important for someone to step in and get those guys aimed in the right direction even before they retire. What I am going to be is that liaison to make sure all those things happen.”

The hiring of Starks is the latest expansion for Rosenhaus Sports. The agency, owned by brothers and agents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus, have expanded into baseball and basketball representation by hiring young agents who are starting out in those sports. Drew Rosenhaus said he plans to soon hire an agent to represent broadcasters and another agent to represent coaches.

Additionally, Rosenhaus Sports continues to expand its client base. The agency recently signed Carolina Panthers guard Andrew Norwell and Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Chester Rogers. Drew Rosenhaus and Ryan Matha will represent the players.

Norwell was formerly represented by Vantage Management Group and Rogers by Warren & Simpson. Rosenhaus Sports has now signed 17 veterans since the Super Bowl.

> NFL AGENT SWITCHES: Athletes First signed Ravens offensive tackle Austin Howard, but lost Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix as a client.

Athletes First agent Ryan Williams is representing Howard and negotiated his recent three-year deal with Baltimore. Howard was formerly represented by Capital Sports Advisors.

Clinton-Dix had not signed with a new agent by midweek last week.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver and return specialist Tyreek Hill left BC Sports. He had not signed with a new agent midweek last week.

> BALCH SPORTS DOES SWINNEY DEAL: Balch Sports signed Clemson University football coach Dabo Swinney and negotiated his reported eight-year, $6.75 million-a-year contract extension.

Agents and attorneys Russ Campbell and Patrick Strong represented Swinney in the deal. He had been represented by Mike Brown, who died of pancreatic cancer in January.

Balch Sports is a division of Balch & Bingham, a Birmingham, Ala.-based law firm. Balch Sports represents collegiate and NFL coaches.

> VICK’S TV DEAL TEAM: Lagardère Sports and Vision Sports Group worked in tandem in negotiating former NFL quarterback Michael Vick’s new agreement to become a studio analyst for Fox Sports NFL coverage.

Joel Segal, Lagardère Sports head of team sports and Vick’s longtime NFL contract agent, and Maury Gostfrand, Vision Sports Group president, worked together on the deal. 

Liz Mullen can be reached at lmullen@sportsbusinessjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @SBJLizMullen.

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