Rosenhaus Sports Representation has hired Bobby Petriella, a 34-year-old basketball agent based in Las Vegas, as its first director of basketball. Petriella has represented players in the NBA D League and pro players overseas, but has not yet signed a player on an NBA roster.
When asked how his position with RSR came about, Petriella said “I was introduced to Jason and Drew through a mutual friend (Darren Heitner). They wanted to hire a younger guy to start the basketball division, build it from the ground up, similar to what they’re currently doing with the baseball division. The baseball division has done really well in such a short time, I definitely envision us having similar success on the basketball side.”
Petriella said he has been close on representing first-round NBA draft prospects, making it to the final rounds of players’ agent interview process. “I was getting to the finish line with these first-round picks, lottery picks, but I couldn’t get them to sign with me because I didn’t have a big name behind me,” Petriella said.
Petriella said he has quietly been working for RSR for the past few weeks. He gave his card with the Rosenhaus name on it to some basketball people attending the Summer League and surrounding events in Las Vegas earlier this month and said it has already made a difference in how he is perceived. “I think it will translate real well in basketball. I think the Rosenhaus name is really going to help,” Petriella said.
When asked how does it feel to be RSR’s first basketball agent, Petriella said “It’s an incredible feeling, just to get the opportunity to sit down with Jason & Drew and share my vision for RSR Basketball was more than I could ask for. To be able to work alongside and learn from them along with everyone else at RSR is a dream come true. Professional Athletes associate the Rosenhaus name with hard work, the best client services in the business and a powerhouse marketing division. The incredible amount of success they’ve had in football over the years will certainly transfer over to the basketball world and I’m very excited to be a big part of that.”
RSR has also signed 14 players on the football side since the Super Bowl. New clients include Carolina Panthers guard Trai Turner, Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Willie Snead, Indianapolis Colts tight end Erik Swoope and Chicago Bears defensive end Akiem Hicks. RSR also signed Browns wide receiver Ricardo Louis, Saints wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., New York Giants defensive end Devin Taylor, Miami Dolphins linebacker Neville Hewitt, Dolphins cornerback Byron Maxwell, Detroit Lions defensive end Armonty Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Ryan Russell, Green Bay Packers safety Josh Jones and Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones.
RSR’s young baseball division has signed over 20 MLB/minor league players after being in business for just over a year led by Dennis Wyrick.
Rosenhaus said he and his brother will mentor Petriella, as he is mentoring Wyrick, but they will concentrate their efforts on NFL players. RSR represents more than 100, making it one of the largest agencies in the space.