Scott Boras: Sports Super-Agent Isn’t Sweating Jay-Z Just Yet
Scott Boras may have some competition for the title of greatest sports agent in the world, but he’s not worried about Jay-Z just yet.
The rapper, who is planning a big move into the world of sports representation with his new agency Roc Nation, called out Boras on his new album, Magna Carta Holy Grail. On the album, Jay-Z brags about stealing New York Yankees star Roinson Cano away from Boras.
On the track “Crown,” Jay-Z raps: “Scott Boras, you over baby/ Robinson Cano, you coming with me.”
The signing came as a bit of a surprise. Cano is just about to become a free agent, and with a big payday in sight his switch to Roc Nation is certainly a coup for Jay-Z.
Scott Boras, who has brokered many of the highest-paying contracts in sports and has a list of big-name clients that include Alex Rodriguez and Prince Fielder, didn’t seem too worried about Jay-Z encroaching on his territory.
His response to the call-out was essentially to say, Jay-Z who?
“I’m a fan of jazz, and my favorite musician is Bernie Williams,” Boras said, according to ESPN. “What other musician could play center field for the Yankees and win four world championships?”
It’s not clear if Roc Nation would even be a direct competitor to Scott Boras. Roc Nation has yet to negotiate a contract, and it seems the company’s partner Creative Artists Agency will handle that end of player representation.
But though Boras is arguably the most well-known agent in America and Roc Nation is essentially a rookie in the game, Jay-Z’s company already has an impressive list of clients. The first five to sign on with the Brooklyn-born rapper are Cano, Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant, NFL rookie quarterback Geno Smith, NFL wide receiver Victor Cruz, and women’s basketball player Skylar Diggins.
Scott Boras said it’s difficult to compare Roc Nation to his agency, which specializes in baseball representation.
“My response to these things is we are baseball players,” Boras said. “We are former players. We are people who are 24-7 committed to our game. We do not represent anyone but baseball players.
“These players play 162 games. They play year ’round. We have strength-and-conditioning coaches. We’ve got psychologists. All we do is study the game. We feel that serves the best interests of our players. Other than that, I have nothing else to say.”
Scott Boras doesn’t have to say anything more for now. His $5 billion in player contracts speaks for itself.
