The Cleveland Cavaliers are eyeing a well-known NBA sports agent to join its team, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein. The founder and CEO of Chicago-based Priority Sports, Mark Bartelstein, is on the Cavaliers’ radar as the franchise attempts to restructure its front-office staff.
Priority Sports is regarded as one of the more elite firms in the NBA circles, with roughly $350 million worth of contracts under management. Clients include the Golden States Warriors David Lee, NY Knicks Tim Hardaway Jr., and the Toronto Raptors Steve Novak. Last summer, Forbes.com listed Priority Sports as the world’s No. 7 most valuable NBA agency.
Other past agents, including long-time NBA agent Lon Babby, have made the transition from athlete representation to front-office executive. A former agent for the San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan and the Miami Heat’s Ray Allen, Babby is currently the Phoenix Suns President of Basketball Operations. Considering Bartelstein’s success with Priority Sports and longevity there, the likelihood he heads to Cleveland is probably slim-to-none.