Robinson Cano Fires Agent So Jay-Z Can Be His Agent. No, This Isn’t a Joke
New York Yankees star Robinson Cano is about to go from heavy hitter to Hova hitter.
Roc Nation, an entertainment company started by Jay-Z, is spreading its wings by joining forces with Creative Artists Agency to represent athletes. It’s already inked its first client: Robinson Cano, who dumped uber-agent and nemesis of team owners everywhere Scott Boras.
Roc Nation should be prepared to make a splash pretty quickly, since Cano is in the last year of his contract with the Yankees and stands to make a handsome penny or two with a new deal, regardless of which team procures his services.
Like laying off a sweeping curveball, Cano said he made this choice carefully:
"At this point in my career, I am ready to take a more active role in my endeavors on and off the field. I am confident that the pairing of Roc Nation Sports and CAA Sports will be essential in helping me accomplish my short and long-term goals. I am making this important decision now so I can keep my focus on helping the Yankees succeed in 2013, while minimizing any distractions for me and my teammates."
Jay-Z, who owns part of the Brooklyn Nets, is reportedly interested in becoming an agent, working with athletes in the three major sports. If that ever happens, he would have to surrender his stake in the NBA team while he becomes a modern-day Jerry Maguire.
Roc Nation will enter the world of sports alongside CAA, but eventually Roc Nation Sports will be a company unto itself. Presently, it works with several music stars, including Rihanna, Shakira and Timbaland.
More than anything, it sounds like Jay-Z is trying to weasel his way into the Yankees universe. His duet with Alicia Keys, ‘Empire State of Mind,’ was a kind of unofficial anthem for the team during its 2009 World Series run and now he’s repping Robinson Cano.
Will anyone be surprised when he cuts a deal for Blue Ivy to be the bat girl and Beyonce to serve as GM?