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Labor and Agents

Octagon adds depth to its WNBA practice

Las Vegas Aces power forward A’ja Wilson, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 WNBA draft, has signed with Octagon for representation in all areas. She had formerly been represented by Wasserman and by Jade-Li English, who ran her own firm.

 

Additionally, Octagon has hired English as a client services and marketing manager. Erin Kane, Octagon vice president who leads the agency’s WNBA division, will represent Wilson with English.

A’ja Wilson joins a growing roster of WNBA players represented by Octagon.getty images

Octagon made a concerted effort to start a WNBA division a few years ago and since then has signed several top WNBA players, including Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne, Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier and Los Angeles Sparks guard and Washington Wizards assistant coach Kristi Toliver. Last month, Octagon represented Baylor forward Lauren Cox, who was picked No. 3 overall by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA draft. 

“I’m committed to growing our WNBA practice to be the best in the business,” Kane said. “I’ve represented Elena Delle Donne since 2015, and love the W and everything the athletes that play in it represent. I’m fortunate to be able to say I work with the best WNBA players. I believe in building slowly, at a responsible pace, to make sure I provide the best possible client service.”

English

Kane noted that in its history, Octagon has represented iconic women in sports such as basketball player Sheryl Swoopes and player and coach Nancy Lieberman

Prior to joining Octagon, Wilson had deals with Nike and Mountain Dew. Kane said there are other opportunities on the table and the agency is working on virtual speaking and clinic teaching events, as well as content creation. 

English will work with Octagon’s NBA clients as well as with Kane on Wilson’s business. Prior to joining Octagon, she ran her own marketing and consulting firm, New English Media, and before that, she worked at Roc Nation as a public relations manager. 

ROC NATION SIGNS BIG NBA DRAFT CLASS: Roc Nation Sports has signed a large class of highly regarded NBA draft prospects, including point guard LaMelo Ball, a projected top-five pick. 

The agency recently signed Ball’s brother, New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball, away from CAA Sports. Roc Nation NBA agent Raymond Brothers is representing both of the Ball brothers. 

LaMelo Ball, who played last season in Australia on the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League, is ranked No. 3 overall by website nbadraft.net. Brothers is also representing No. 12-ranked Memphis forward Precious Achiuwa.

Roc Nation signed Texas Tech guard Jahmi’us Ramsey, who is ranked No. 24: Washington power forward/center Isaiah Stewart, who is ranked No. 26; and Kentucky guard Immanuel Quickley, who is ranked No. 35 by nbadraft.net.

Additionally, Roc Nation signed Temple forward Quinton Rose, American University guard Sa’eed Nelson and Indiana guard Devonte Green, brother of Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Danny Green. Agents Brothers, Drew Gross and Sam Permut are representing the players.

WASSERMAN SIGNS HART: Wasserman has signed rising star Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart for representation. Agent Judd Moldaver, who joined Wasserman from CAA Sports in 2018, is representing Hart. He was formerly represented by CMG Sports.

Hart, 21, was the first goalie drafted in the 2016 NHL draft, No. 48 overall. He made his NHL debut in December 2018. He was the youngest goaltender in Flyers history to win his first game and was named NHL Next Gen player of the week in March of this year, before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moldaver also counts NHL stars such as Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews and Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi among his clients.

TANDEM SIGNS SPENCER: Tandem Sports + Entertainment has signed Northwestern guard Pat Spencer for representation in the NBA draft. Matt Laczkowski, Tandem director of athlete and talent representation, is representing Spencer, who transferred to Northwestern after playing lacrosse for four seasons at Loyola-Maryland. 

Spencer was drafted No. 1 in the 2019 Premier Lacrosse League draft, but chose to spend the next year pursuing basketball as a graduate transfer at Northwestern.

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

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