Capital Sports Advisors, a company formed more than four years ago through a merger of independent sports agencies, has signed a large class of prospects for this year’s NFL draft, including Charleston defensive end John Cominsky, who had a breakout performance at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Cominsky, who is 6-foot-5 and 286 pounds, made headlines for running a 4.69 in the 40-yard dash and finishing some shuttle drills faster than smaller linebackers. “He runs like a defensive end, but he is big enough to play defensive tackle,” said Cliff Brady, his agent.
The agency also signed Oklahoma offensive lineman Ben Powers, Northern Illinois linebacker Sutton Smith, Washington tight end Drew Sample and Fresno State wide receiver KeeSean Johnson, all combine attendees. Additionally, the agency signed Kansas linebacker Joe Dineen Jr., Colorado linebacker Drew Lewis, Tulsa offensive linemen Chandler Miller and Tyler Bowling, Wyoming defensive end Kevin Prosser, Adams State wide receiver Chad Hovasse, Syracuse offensive lineman Koda Martin, North Dakota State offensive tackle Tanner Volson, Nebraska offensive guard Tanner Farmer and Stanford offensive guard A.T. Hall.
The agents in Capital Sports Advisors are Tom Mills, Jack Mills, Kevin Robinson, Rilio Mastrantonio, Jim Grogan, Ryan Downey, Matt Striegel, Drew Pittman and Brady. Capital Sports Advisors was formed in 2014 when several agents from three different agencies merged their practices.
“We all realized the trend in the way the industry is going — it’s away from the single-shop, boutique firm and more towards a larger, multi-office regional approach to recruiting and marketing,” Tom Mills said. “We found some guys that were like-minded in different parts of the country that were all similarly motivated to keep the business going.”
The agents agreed to share resources and information and not recruit against each other.
Mills said they all didn’t know how it would work out, but it has turned out better than he expected. “We’ve had several drafted players every year and last year we had the first pick in the draft,” said Mills, who represents Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield with his father, Jack.
Brady said he was skeptical at first but agrees with Mills that it’s worked out well. “We really put together a good group of guys,” he said. “We help each other and support each other. It’s a lot of fun.”
John Cominsky from tiny Charleston opened eyes at the NFL Scouting Combine.ap images
■ TMG CONNECTS WITH HOPKINS: The Montag Group has signed former middleweight champion boxer Bernard Hopkins for broadcasting, as well as speaking and literary work. TMG agents Sandy Montag and Gideon Cohen are representing Hopkins. He was not previously represented for broadcasting.
“We will be exploring a book deal — he has had an incredible life — documentary opportunities, speaking engagements and, of course, broadcasting opportunities,” Cohen said.
Hopkins, nicknamed “The Executioner,” held multiple world titles during an almost 30-year career. He retired in 2016 after 67 fights, 55 of which he won, 32 of them by knockout. Cohen noted that Hopkins has a relationship with former boxer Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, which has a broadcast deal with DAZN. “That’s where we will start, but we will look at all potential avenues that make sense,” Cohen said of finding Hopkins a broadcasting job.
■ STEINBERG SIGNS PROSPECTS: Steinberg Sports & Entertainment signed three players who posted impressive performances at the NFL combine, including USC safety Marvell Tell III. Steinberg Sports also signed West Virginia wide receiver David Sills V and Memphis running back Darrell Henderson. Agents Leigh Steinberg and Chris Cabott are representing the players.
Tell impressed at the combine with a 42-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot-4 broad jump, as well as being a top performer in the shuttle and cone drills.
■ OCTAGON SIGNS ANDÚJAR: Octagon Baseball signed New York Yankees third baseman Miguel Andújar for representation. Andújar, who finished second in the voting for AL Rookie of the Year last season, will be represented by player agents Ulises Cabrera and Brian Mejia. He formerly was represented by The Mas Agency.
Liz Mullen can be reached at lmullen@sportsbusinessjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @SBJLizMullen.
