MLB Games Are Over, Business Begins

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The Year of the Backloaded Contract. I'll admit that it doesn't quite have a ring to it, but for Giancarlo Stanton and Russell Martin it's a reality nonetheless.


On Monday, Stanton signed the biggest contract in North American professional sports history at 13 years, $325 million. Regardless of Stanton's current talent-level and potential to still grow, it surely surprised many to see the Miami Marlins -- yes, the lowly Marlins! -- open up the checkbook wider than ever before.

Sport for Thought: The Expansion of Roc Nation Sports

It is not everyday when a rap superstar decides to become a sports agent and represent some of the biggest names in sports. When Jay Z announced the launch of Roc Nation Sports in April of 2013 with the acquisition of ex- Scott Boras client Robinson Cano, the entire sports world was shocked. At the time, not many people took the new agency seriously and thought it would turn into another Master P situation and not last. But just last week, company president Michael Yormark announced the agencies interest in expansion through the acquisition of other agencies as well as the hiring of qualified agents.

The Drexel Connection: Haig Abnous

This week the Drexel Connection spotlights Haig Abnous. Haig is currently a Junior Agent for the NOVO Agency. The NOVO Agency represents NFL Athletes and former athletes such as LaMichael James, Joey Porter and John Elway. Haig attended Arizona University as an undergraduate communications major where he also corner back for the Arizona Football team. He ended up earning a private work out with the New England Patriots as well as the Hartford Colonials of the UFL. During minicamp, Haig also played with the San Jose Sabercats of the Arena Football League. Haig is now an online student at Drexel’s graduate program getting his masters, which is now a mandatory task before he can be approved by the NFLPA as a certified agent.

The Drexel Connection: Michael Lawson

This week the Drexel Connection spotlights Michael Lawson. Michael currently is the CEO and President of 4A Management as well as being a professional sports agent. Some of his more popular and known clients include Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans and Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Michael is very relatable to us as college kids because he too started off as an intern somewhere very small. Specifically he started off interning with the Cincinnati Cyclones. From there he went on to work alongside our fellow Drexel SMT Professor Brett Burchette with Nelligan Sports Marketing as the regional director.