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Robinson Cano Hopes CAA Sports Can Help Him Get $300 Million+

Robinson Cano teaming up with Jay-Z was the story of the week. Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
Robinson Cano teaming up with Jay-Z was the story of the week. Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
Robinson Cano trusts Brodie Van Wagenen of Creative Artists Agency to get him hundreds of millions of dollars in a new contract. Photo Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Several months ago, New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano reportedly asked for a contract paying him a total of $300 million over the term of the deal.  And then ESPN’s Buster Olney said that Cano is still looking for $300 million (plus another $5 million) over the course of a 10-year contract.  The Yankees and Cano’s representatives are apparently far from reaching a negotiated deal.  And no, it’s not Jay Z making public statements about Cano’s future.  Instead, it is Cano’s true MLBPA Player Agent — Brodie Van Wagenen of Creative Artists Agency.

“Out of respect to both parties, we have agreed all along with the Yankees not to comment publicly on discussions regarding Robinson’s contractual future,” Van Wagenen said. “I am abiding by that agreement and I will not confirm any discussions or offers or whether there have been offers by either side.  As Robinson said, he hasn’t made any decisions on his future.  Robinson is among the elite talents in the game and in the final few days of his contract, but he and I will continue to respect the process and our promise to not discuss specifics.”

Robinson Cano left long-time agent Scott Boras roughly six months ago when he decided to be represented by Van Wagenen for team contract negotiations and Jay Z’s Roc Nation Sports for off-field opportunities.  At the time, Cano justified the move by saying, “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.”

Distractions seemed to be effectively minimized until now, which is quite impressive considering Cano is entering free agency and is one of the best players in professional baseball.  Then again, nothing could have compared to the distraction that Alex Rodriguez turned out to be.

After Cano switched from Boras to Roc Nation/CAA, Jay Z famously rapped, “Scott Boras, you over baby / Robinson Cano, you coming with me.”  Maybe now it’s time for Jay Z to rap about how the Yankees should show his client the money.  But Brodie likely has that under control . . . behind the scenes.

By Darren Heitner

Darren Adam Heitner, Esq., is a preeminent sports attorney and the founder of Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., a Fort Lauderdale-based law firm specializing in sports law, contract negotiations, intellectual property, and arbitration. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2010 and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Florida in 2007, where he was named Valedictorian of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Admitted to practice in the state bars of Florida, New York, and the District of Columbia, as well as multiple federal courts, Darren also serves as a certified arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.

As an adjunct professor, Darren imparts his expertise through teaching Sports Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) at the University of Miami School of Law in the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law LL.M. program. His scholarly contributions include authoring several books published by the American Bar Association, such as How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know, and numerous articles in prominent publications like Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and Above the Law. His thought leadership in NIL has earned him recognition as one of the foremost experts by The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, and On3, and he has been lauded as a “power player in NIL deals” by Action Network and a “top sports trademark attorney” by Sportico.

Darren’s passion for sports law led him to establish Sports Agent Blog on December 31, 2005, initially titled “I Want To Be A Sports Agent.” The platform, created as a New Year’s resolution, has grown into a cornerstone of the sports agency community, offering in-depth analysis of industry trends, legal disputes, and agent-player dynamics. His commitment to the field is further evidenced by his representation of numerous athletes and sports agents, as well as his prior role as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington, where he developed and taught a course on Sport Agency Management from 2011 to 2014.

Darren’s contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the University of Florida’s 40 Under 40 Award, the University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, and designation as the best lawyer in Fort Lauderdale by Fort Lauderdale Magazine. He remains an active voice in the sports law community, sharing insights through his weekly NIL newsletter and his X posts, engaging a broad audience on legal developments in sports.