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IMG Is Making Moves (Again)

IMGWhile agencies like BDA, WMG, and CAA are busy trying to make a splash in the 2008 NBA Draft, IMG wants absolutely none of it. The one-time leader of the pack in terms of team-sports representation has dropped that title in favor of dedicating more effort on other parts of its business. IMG’s two newest clients have nothing to do with basketball, but the news will make a splash in another pond.

If there is one music artist who breaks all barriers and has followers in every type of American sub-culture, I would have to say that man is Justin Timberlake. Girls love him, guys admire him, and teenagers swoon over him. The guy has some luck too. He ended his relationship with Brittney Spears just in time. IMG is hoping that it will be starting its relationship with Mr. Timberlake well after he has rebounded from that rough experience. That’s because IMG will represent Justin Timberlake in all of his potential endorsement opportunities worldwide. Included in that package is aiding the development of Timberlake’s charity golf tournament in Las Vegas (hopefully Pacman is far away) and the creation of a golf course in Timberlake’s home of Memphis, Tennessee.

If Justin Timberlake has one crowd that may not favor his music genre, I would guess that it is the motor racing groupies. They like their tractors and they want ’em sexy. That being said, IMG loves that niche as well. In fact, the NHRA, the world’s largest motorsport organization, has signed on with IMG to have the conglomerate handle its sponsorship opportunities, brand analysis, and to provide recommendations on how to enhance the sales, marketing and branding efforts of the NHRA.

J.T. and NHRA, welcome to IMG.

By Darren Heitner

Darren Heitner created Sports Agent Blog as a New Year's Resolution on December 31, 2005. Originally titled, "I Want To Be A Sports Agent," the website was founded with the intention of causing Heitner to learn more about the profession that he wanted to join, meet reputable individuals in the space and force himself to stay on top of the latest news and trends.

Heitner now runs Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., which is a law firm with many practice areas, including sports law and contract law. Heitner has represented numerous athletes and sports agents as legal counsel. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington from 2011-2014, where he created and taught a course titled, Sport Agency Management, which included subjects ranging from NCAA regulations to athlete agent certification and the rules governing the profession. Heitner serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he teaches a Sports Law class that includes case law surrounding athlete agents and the NCAA rules.

2 replies on “IMG Is Making Moves (Again)”

Wow! They were able to pull JT. Not really that surprising seeing that IMG has had a tremendous amount of business restructuring and a change from McCormack’s original vision.

Darren no need for the Pacman stab. He paid he debt to society and the league!

Kenji-

There are 2 types of athletes in my book. Those that recognize their mistakes and apologize immediately (Carmelo) and those like Pacman. No reason not to forgive, but you definitely cannot forget.

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