Raleigh, North Carolina-based French/West/Vaughn’s rapidly growing sports and entertainment practice just got another boost with the addition of Dallas Mavericks’ player Dahntay Jones to its list of clients. As is the case with most of their athlete clients, French/West/Vaughn (FWV) will oversee Jones’ marketing opportunities and public relations support.
Jones, a former 20th overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2003, is on his fifth NBA team. His career has included a short stint on an NBA D-League team as well (the Fort Wayne Mad Ants). The nine year NBA veteran and former Duke basketball star will allow FWV to vet corporate partnership offers, as well as promote the Dahntay Jones Foundation, which provides academic support, mentorship and empowerment to underserved youth.
“We’ve been impressed with Dahntay since our very first meeting,” said FWV Chairman and CEO Rick French. “His solid NBA career is a testament to his talent and work ethic, and his off-the-court business acumen as well as his community involvement is nothing short of inspiring.”
Jones is part-owner of a New York City area health clinic that provides affordable care to patients, and he and a group of investors plan to open other clinics in the area, not far from his hometown of Trenton, New Jersey. He also works with the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN), a group of men and women promoting the positive portrayal of women in entertainment and society, co-founded by his wife, Valeisha Butterfield-Jones.
Jones joins All-Pro running back Arian Foster and starting free safety Glover Quin of the Houston Texans, NFL legend-turned-filmmaker Simeon Rice, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick and Orlando Magic forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis, among other clients of FWV’s sports and entertainment practice. The agency also represents sports properties such as the United States Polo Association, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, the Southwestern Athletic Conference and athletic apparel brands Arena Swimwear, SKINS and Tasc Performance Apparel.
“French/West/Vaughan’s sports and entertainment practice is doing great things for athletes. I am thrilled to have them on my team,” said Jones. “They understand who I am, where I want to go and how I feel about my responsibilities as a professional athlete.”
