12 Times Sports Agents Made or Broke a Career
A great agent can turn an athlete into a superstar, while a bad one can ruin everything in an instant.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Multimillion-dollar contracts, sponsorship agreements, and chances to launch a career are all in the hands of sports agents. Some have helped sportsmen achieve unthinkable success, while others have ruined agreements, mishandled money, or even scammed their own clients. Here are 12 instances where a sports agent either ruined or made an athlete’s career.
1. Scott Boras – Alex Rodriguez’s Record-Breaking Deal
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Boras, the ultimate power agent, secured A-Rod a record-setting $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers in 2000. It was the largest deal in sports history at the time, solidifying Boras as baseball’s top negotiator.
2. Rich Paul – LeBron James and the Klutch Sports Empire
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Paul, once just LeBron’s friend, built Klutch Sports into a powerhouse agency. His influence extends beyond contracts, shaping player movement across the NBA.
3. Drew Rosenhaus – Terrell Owens’ Downfall
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Rosenhaus helped Owens land big NFL contracts but also fueled his infamous controversies. His aggressive approach led to locker room turmoil, holdouts, and a messy exit from the Eagles.
4. Leigh Steinberg – The Inspiration for Jerry Maguire
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Steinberg revolutionized sports representation and was Jerry Maguire’s real-life model. He also negotiated groundbreaking deals for stars like Troy Aikman and Steve Young.
5. Aaron Goodwin – Losing LeBron James as a Client
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Goodwin signed LeBron as a rookie and secured his first Nike deal. However, James left him for Rich Paul and Klutch Sports, proving that not all agents can keep their biggest stars.
6. Eugene Parker – Deion Sanders’ Unprecedented Contract
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Parker secured a $35 million deal for Sanders in 1995, making him one of the highest-paid defensive players ever. His strategic negotiations set a new standard for NFL contracts.
7. Tank Black – Scamming His Own Clients
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Black was once a respected agent, representing NFL stars like Fred Taylor. However, he stole millions in a Ponzi scheme, landing himself in prison.
8. Jeff Schwartz – Securing Historic NBA Contracts
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Schwartz has represented top-tier NBA talent like Kevin Durant and Kemba Walker. His knack for landing massive contracts and endorsement deals has made him one of basketball’s most powerful figures.
9. David Falk – Michael Jordan’s Billion-Dollar Brand
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Falk wasn’t just Jordan’s agent—he was the architect of his empire. He negotiated Jordan’s Nike deal, leading to the creation of the Air Jordan brand.
10. Scott Boras – J.D. Drew’s Risky Holdout
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Boras convinced Drew to skip signing with the Phillies in 1997, forcing him to play independent baseball for a year. The gamble paid off when Drew re-entered the draft and signed a bigger deal with the Cardinals.
11. Erik Burkhardt – Kyler Murray’s Multisport Dilemma
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Murray had to choose between an MLB career with the Oakland A’s or the NFL. Burkhardt orchestrated a deal that made the Arizona Cardinals’ offer too good to refuse.
12. Josh Luchs – Exposing the Dark Side of Agent Life
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In a Sports Illustrated article, Luchs admitted that he paid college athletes under the table for years. His confession rocked the industry, revealing the shady deals made behind closed doors.