SportsBusiness Journal has reported that IMG may be interested in purchasing all or part of Gaylord Sports. This is interesting news, as IMG has stepped away from representing any athletes involved in team sports, in favor of focusing on individual sport athletes primarily in golf and tennis. Gaylord has a very strong golf division headlined by Phil Mickelson, David Toms, etc, but the company also has a very strong baseball division, represents some of the best softball players, and has growing entertainment and football divisions. I find it hard to believe that IMG is interested in getting involved in baseball and football after letting some of its largest agents and clients leave to CAA in the not-too-distant past.
SBJ also notes that Mark Steinberg is leading the negotiations for IMG. If this is so, then it seems likely that this deal is revolving solely around Gaylord’s golf division. Mark Steinberg is the Director of Global Golf Business at IMG. Why would IMG put him in charge of brokering a deal for all of Gaylord’s divisions when he specialty is with golf?
