It’s hard to get to the top of any business. It’s even harder to stay there. And the business of representing athletes is arguably one of the most competitive in the sports industry, and certainly the most cutthroat.
Which is why Joel Segal’s streak of representing multiple first-round NFL draft picks for 14 straight years is remarkable.
This year, Segal, who heads up Lagardère Sports’ NFL practice, represented four of the first 32 players selected by NFL clubs, including what was widely hailed as the first big surprise: Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell, who was taken No. 4 overall by the Raiders. Segal also represented the Jaguars’ No. 7 pick, Kentucky defensive end Josh Allen; the Bills’ No. 9 pick, Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver; and the Giants’ No. 17 pick, Clemson defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
“This was advertised as the year for the D-lineman, so obviously we prepared in recruiting,” Segal said. “We focused on the D-Line and got a little bit lucky.”
It just so happens that last September Segal negotiated a record-breaking contract extension for client and defensive end Khalil Mack worth a maximum of $141 million, $90 million of which is guaranteed, making him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL. The Bears added six years to Mack’s contract after the Raiders traded him.
Lagardère Sports agent Joel Segal (right) with Ed Oliver, who was selected ninth by the Buffalo Bills.courtesy of joel segal
Asked if that deal helped him in recruiting this class, Segal sald, “Of course it did.”
Segal represents the players with NFL agents Greg Barnett, Chafie Fields and Geoff Garmhausen.
Although Ferrell’s selection was unexpected by many analysts, it wasn’t for Segal. “‘Cle’ is an alpha male among players. He’s a leader. He’s tough. He won’t be daunted by anything.”
Segal added that Ferrell had a private trip to visit the Raiders prior to the draft. “There was no surprise here,” Segal said of the selection.
In addition to Mack, the Raiders also traded another star client of Segal’s, wide receiver Amari Cooper, to the Dallas Cowboys last season. But Raiders coach Jon Gruden and Segal had a friendly dinner at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., in January, according to reports. Segal said he and Gruden have had a good relationship for 20 years. “I have a lot of respect for Jon,” he said.
“It’s business and they are able to separate it,” said Garmhausen, who has worked with Segal for about a dozen years as his longtime head of operations and got certified by the NFL Players Association to represent players in contract talks with clubs two years ago.
All of Lagardère’s defensive line clients trained at Exos’ Pensacola, Fla., facility. Both Garmhausen and Segal said the players got close to each other, which may have helped their preparation.
“We had a great group of guys who trained together, worked together and rooted for each other,” he said. “Each guy, when they got drafted, was pumped up for the other guy. It was a real brotherhood. A real camaraderie.”
Segal has had more clients drafted in the first round in the past; in 2016, he and his team represented five first-round picks. And he’s represented players who were drafted higher; in 2013, Segal represented offensive tackle Eric Fisher, who was taken No. 1 overall pick by the Chiefs.
But it is the first time Segal has represented three players selected in the top 10 of the same draft.
His record of representing first-round picks has helped in recruiting, Segal admitted, but he’s not worried about whether — or when — the streak will end. “It’s not about the streak,” he said. “It’s about being consistent and serving our clients well and to keep going strong.”
Liz Mullen can be reached at lmullen@sportsbusinessjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @SBJLizMullen.
