How Rich Paul became the most powerful agent in professional sports
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Rich Paul isn’t your typical sports agent. He’s the founder and CEO of Klutch Sports Group. An agency responsible for representing some of professional sports most prominent figures. Since its inception, Klutch has negotiated over 4 billion dollars worth of deals in the NBA, NFL, and MLB. Paul, a kid once known for winning big-money dice games and selling jerseys out of his trunk, is now on a much different path. “I never take anything for granted.” When Paul looks down at his phone to answer calls from Lebron James, Jalen Hurts, and nearly 200 other high-profile athletes, he realizes just how far he’s come.
Born in 1981 in Cleveland, Ohio, Paul was forced to grow up fast. His mother struggled with drug addiction, and his father, Big Rich, whom he calls his “moral compass,” was always around, though they lived apart. During his teenage years, Paul worked at his Dad’s corner store. That’s where they spent a good majority of their time together. He credits his father for teaching him valuable life lessons. The way he dresses, and the way he thinks and treats people are because of his dad.
“Big Rich" taught Paul to always think two steps ahead. He scraped together the money to send his son to a Catholic high school, but there was no avoiding the streets, and Paul said the lessons he learned there were crucial to his education, This was my Harvard, my Michigan, It was my Morehouse," Paul said. "And the same things I learned on this corner, I take it to the boardroom. Because the one thing this teaches you that I don't think you can learn from those institutions is people and character. And on the streets, it's no better way to learn character because they're coming with everything." (CBS, 2023)
(ABC, 2023)
Paul lost his father to cancer at 19. Ultimately, this led him deeper into the streets.
The turning point of Paul’s life came when he met Lebron James at an airport. The year was 2001, Akron Canton Airport, Paul was wearing a throwback Warren Moon jersey when he caught the attention of high school phenom, Lebron James. Paul and James talked for a while and exchanged phone numbers. They formed a special bond over the next months and years.
According to Paul, “James told me he didn’t know what he needed me for, but knew he wanted me around. Paul even said James started sending him 2,000-dollar checks in the mail. Paul said, “ I called Lebron and asked what’s my job? Lebron told him, I don’t have anything for you” (YouTube, 2023).
In 2008, James’ 5th year, Paul was invited to work for Lebron’s agent. He learned the ins and outs of the business and eventually founded Klutch Sports Group in 2012.
Lebron and three other players immediately switched to Klutch, allowing Paul to showcase his talents. Rich is all about the player and empowering the player. He knows how to negotiate deals and get his players out of undesirable situations.
“Today, Klutch has 70 employees with offices in Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta. Paul teamed up with Hollywood powerhouse agency UTA to expand his reach. Paul has his own New Balance signature shoe – a first for an agent. And his partner is more famous than he is, Paul has been in a relationship with Adele for two and a half years” (CBS, 2023).
Rich Paul’s story is truly inspiring and one anyone can learn from. Although tempted, he always stayed true to his core values. He didn’t let his circumstances define him and was willing to put in the work to rise above. A true testament of courage, kindness, and undeterred will.
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References
ABC News Network. (October, 2023). ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/GMA3/video/sports-agent-rich-paul-talks-new-book-103864492
CBS Interactive. (October, 2023). Sports agent Rich Paul takes big swings negotiating deals for athletes. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rich-paul-klutch-sports-group-success-60-minutes/
YouTube. (2023, October 10). Rich Paul on navigating his career, Lebron’s goat status, Hustle, Honor + More. YouTube.
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