We are in the NBA Finals and all is right in the world of professional basketball once again. Officially in Summer and the heat wave has hit the State of Florida. I’m not complaining, as I have lived through it for the vast majority of my life, but can’t Winter be Coming already? News broke yesterday that baseball agent Rafa Nieves has left Beverly Hills Sports Council. Nieves is an amazing young agent and BHSC is one of the best in the biz. I hope that both Rafa and BHSC succeed, apart, going forward. Quick big thanks to odds and bets online for keeping the lights on around here this week.
This week in Forbes:
(1) Sports Tech Company Acquired After Raising $24 Million;
(2) B2B Daily Fantasy Sports Acquisition Targets Growth In Europe;
(3) This Week In Sports Law: Matt Elam Arrest, Buffalo Jills Win, JaVale McGee’s Cat;
(4) Boom Shakalaka: Fantasy Sports Site Raises $2 Million And Purchases Competitor; and
(5) Basketball Agent Dan Fegan Can Compete Against Former Employer, For Now.
And as always, the weekly wrap-up:
Football
- Mike Florio says the NFLPA should launch an effort to organize an alternative league now [NFLPA wants players to start saving money in advance of next work stoppage].
- Will players listen better than they did prior to 2011? [NFLPA Calls For Players To Save Money (Again) For Potential Lockout]
- Clothing, shoes and other apparel is the centerpiece of pre-draft athlete deals . . . then trading card deal [How To Be A Great Sports Agent: Marketing Pt. 2].
- Leigh Steinberg says it is important for an agent to understand how much time a client is willing to commit to filming, appearances, signing and other endorsement activities [How to Be A Great Sports Agent: Marketing Pt. 3].
Baseball
- Scott Boras is begging for a $200 million contract? [Jake Arrieta’s agent is painting a pretty picture only he sees]
Basketball
- Dan Fegan’s new agency is called Dynasty Sports Management… [Twitter].
Other
- Bunning became a sports agent after getting into coaching [Jim Bunning, U.S. senator and baseball luminary, dies at 85].