Top 10 Black agents in sports
By Jelani Rooks
Athletes have long been handled and viewed as valuable commodities from the media to Fortune 500 companies like Nike; however, a sports agent’s job is to work behind the scenes to make sure their client’s contract is financially equal to their athletic talent. Rolling Out has put together a list of the best Black sports agents in the business today who represent many popular athletes worldwide.
Bill Strickland works for Blackwave Media Group, a management company in entertainment, sports, marketing and online media. His clientele consists of big names like Rasheed Wallace, Daunte Culpepper, and All-Star Center Joakim Noah.
C. Lamont Smith a double HBCU graduate (B.A. from Clark College, J.D. from Howard University) is an experienced agent who currently oversees All Pro Sports & Entertainment. Smith negotiated Eddie George to a six-year, $42 million contract that made him the highest-paid running back in the NFL. Currently represents running backs Pierre Thomas (Saints) and Ben Tate (Texans).
Kimberly Holland, an Atlanta native who has transitioned from attorney to sports agent and now represents an array of Olympic athletes including Angelo Taylor, who won two gold medals for track in the 2000 and Terrence Trammell, who won the silver medal in the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics.
Aaron Goodwin is the CEO of Goodwin Sports Management (GSM). Goodwin sits on the advisory board for the National Basketball Players Association and is at the top of the sports management game. Goodwin formerly represented Kevin Durant and Dwight Howard. Currently represents Toronto Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan and Golden State point guard Nate Robinson.
Eric Goodwin along with his brother Aaron, Eric runs Goodwin Sports Management while specializing in endorsement and marketing opportunities for clients involving Nike, McDonald’s and Microsoft. He has worked with Matt Barnes of the LA Lakers and NBA announcer Chris Webber.
Bill Duffy has been in the sports management business since 1984, after a two-year playing career with the Denver Nuggets and is one of the most successful agents in the world. His clients include All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo, two-time MVP Steve Nash, and Yao Ming, who retired in 2011.
Larry Reynolds, a former tri-athlete and Stanford University graduate, is the founder and president of Reynolds Sports Management, which represents baseball players such as All-Stars Torii Hunter and Justin Upton. He also manages Justin’s talented brother BJ Upton.
Fletcher N. Smith, III founded and currently owns Blueprint Management Group, LLC, a sports management, marketing and consulting group. In 2002, he renegotiated McNabb’s Eagles contract, which became the largest contract in NFL history, including a record $20.5 million signing bonus.
Henry Thomas joined Creative Artists Agency (CAA) Sports in 2009 and has secured over $100 million in contracts and eight-figure shoe deals and other marketing campaigns. His clients include 2006 NBA Finals MVP Dwayne Wade and five-time All-Star power forward Chris Bosh.
Sharon Creer is one of a handful of Black female sports agents. Creer launched SCA Sports Management in 1998 and sits on the board of directors for the Black Sports Agents Association. Creer has worked with WNBA World Champion’s Houston Comet Tiffani Johnson and San Antonio Star Toccara Williams. (Not pictured)