“Shoutout to Worldwide Wes. Everywhere we go we leave a worldwide mess.”
The line is rapped by Jay Z in a new collaboration with Drake titled, “Pound Cake/Paris Morton Music 2.” It is yet another reference to the sports agency industry, which Jay Z entered earlier this year with the announcement that his Roc Nation Sports entity signed Robinson Cano as a client. Cano was formerly represented by baseball agent Scott Boras. Jay Z made sure the world was put on notice of that fact by rapping the following line in his track, “Crown”: “Scott Boras, you over baby / Robinson Cano, you coming with me.”
So what’s the Worldwide Wes shout-out all about? William Wesley (better known as Worldwide Wes) is an agent at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where he is part of the division that represents basketball coaches. When Roc Nation Sports was formed and the signing of Cano was announced, Jay Z’s company also made it known that it had entered into a partnership with CAA’s sports division. That business relationship has been criticized by rival agents due to Jay Z’s perceived ability to cause players to change agents, switching over to CAA (i.e. Victor Cruz).
It would make sense that Jay Z has become closer with Worldwide Wes since Jay Z started his sports agency. However, the two have known each other for some time. In a 2007 GQ article titled, “Is This the Most Powerful Man in Sports?,” author Alex French said that Worldwide Wes was spotted sitting next to Jay Z at an NBA All-Star Game. The article also called Worldwide Wes “the most connected, most discreet, most influential man on and off the court.”
Just how powerful Worldwide Wes truly is has been the subject of debate. In 2012, a group of writers at CBSSports.com disputed the notion that Worldwide Wes is the most powerful man in sports or basketball, but said he “still has some pop.” And he did apparently introduce Jay Z to LeBron James. That has to count for something. Now his name appears within Jay Z lyrics. The game has definitely been changed.
2 replies on “Jay Z Shouts To Worldwide Wes: “Everywhere We Go We Leave A Worldwide Mess””
Illuminate??
Pretty unprofessional to pursue a baseball player that already has representation from the best agent in baseball. Oh well. I find it scary that wes has so much influence that Nike and other basketball coaches won’t even comment on what exactly he does. He’s in Calipari’s back pocket though, we do know that.
http://www.fromthisseat.com/index.php/blog/19112-are-kentucky-s-john-calipari-and-william-worldwide-wes-wesley-cheating-the-system