Report: Durant dropping agent, expected to change to Jay-Z
I guess Jay-Z has that “Allure.”
OK, that was terrible. I’ll show myself out.
According to Sports Business Journal, Kevin Durant is leaving Landmark Sports Agency and is expected to join Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports.
Landmark is Rob Pelinka’s agency, who reps Kobe Bryant, James Harden, Derek Fisher and Carlos Boozer, among others.
Durant joined Landmark last season after parting ways with Goodwin Sports.
Jay-Z is working to sell his minority stake in the Brooklyn Nets after launching a sports representation agency. In order to represent NBA players, he can’t own any part of a team. According to a recent report, Jay-Z still hadn’t completed that, which means he can’t technically represent an NBA player. Which might be why Roc Nation Sports said “no comment” when asked about Durant.
The source said Durant believes he doesn’t need a contract agent now because he signed an $85 million extension with the Thunder that will take him through the 2015-16 season. Instead, Durant — who is already one of the most marketable players in the league — has told those close to him that he wants to become even more of brand.
Of note because some people have asked: Durant changing agents has nothing to do with his future as an NBA player, or more specifically, the Thunder. He’s not trying to position himself for a bigger market or a possible move. If anything, it only reaffirms his stability in Oklahoma City. He doesn’t have a traditional agent anymore because he doesn’t feel like he needs one. A traditional agent negotiates contracts, pushes for trades and all that stuff. KD basically just wants a high profile marketer.
“We are honored and blessed to have worked on behalf of Kevin for a brief period of time,” Pelinka told Sports Business Journal.
Durant would be the agency’s first NBA player. Currently Roc Nation reps Robinson Cano, Geno Smith and recently signed Skylar Diggins of the Tulsa Shock.
In related news, Beyonce might attend a Thunder game next season.