Jay-Z Can Now Officially Represent NBA Players

We’ve known for a while now that Jay-Z was on the path to becoming a sports agent, with his eyes on big-time clients for his agency Roc Nation Sports. Jigga has been certified to represent NBA players. Per the SportsBusiness Journal and ESPN: “Jay-Z and Roc Nation Sports President Juan Perez have been granted certification by the NBPA to represent NBA players in contract negotiations with clubs. The NBPA is the first sports union to grant Jay-Z certification. Jay-Z, Perez and Roc Nation Sports VP Rich Kleiman also applied for certification with the MLBPA, and a decision on those applications is expected soon. […] What’s not clear is how soon Jay-Z can represent players. A source close to the situation said that, as of Wednesday, the hip-hop mogul had not sold his small ownership share (less than 1 percent) of the Brooklyn Nets. Industry speculation is Jay-Z might be able to sign players as long as he agrees to pass off his share of the Nets in the near future. Owners of NBA teams cannot represent players. The first NBA player Jay-Z is expected to sign is Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant, who told his agent, Rob Pelinka, in recent days that he would sign with Jay-Z. Durant has not commented publicly. Since announcing his intention to start a sports agency a few months ago, Jay-Z’s firm has signed New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith and former Notre Dame guard Skylar Diggins, who recently was selected third by the Tulsa Shock in the WNBA draft.”