Jay-Z Launches Roc Nation Sports, Lands Pro Baseball Player as First Client

By: Taren Vaughan

Jay-Z is about to add yet another thing to his steadily growing business resume as the music mogul is always finding new ways to increase his wealth. When he isn’t hard at work with his wife Beyonce’ and other artists in the studio or taking on the daddy role when he is spending time with his baby girl Blue that he adores, Jay-Z is making moves as he is by far one artist that has mastered how to make money even when he isn’t making music. Jay-Z already has in foot in the door when it comes to the sports arena as he is currently part owner of the professional basketball team the Brooklyn Nets. And now Jay-Z’ s Roc Nation Sports that he is launching in a partnership with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), has gotten him his first client, New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano signing with Jay’s company, ESPN reports:

New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, who is in the final season of a $57 million contract, has left agent Scott Boras to sign with a company founded by Jay-Z.

Roc Nation, an entertainment company founded by Shawn Carter, also known as Jay-Z, announced Tuesday that it is getting into the sports representation business through a partnership with Creative Artists Agency (CAA). This arm of CAA will be known as Roc Nation Sports, which simultaneously announced that its first sports client is Cano.

The Yankees and Boras hadn’t spoken in weeks about a new deal, a person with knowledge of the talks told ESPN NewYork.com’s Andrew Marchand. The Yankees had made what general manager Brian Cashman termed “a significant offer” during the spring, but Cano had not accepted it. At this point, the Yankees do not have a read on how the move from Boras to Jay-Z will impact future negotiations.

Robinson Cano spoke on the new pairing with Roc Nation Sports and says he feels like he made the right decision:

“At this point in my career, I am ready to take a more active role in my endeavors on and off the field. I am confident that the pairing of Roc Nation Sports and CAA Sports will be essential in helping me accomplish my short- and long-term goals. I am making this important decision now so I can keep my focus on helping the Yankees succeed in 2013, while minimizing any distractions for me and my teammates.”

Jay-Z has spoken before about why he decided to start of Roc Sports Nation. And he credits it to his love for sports and desire to help athletes just as he has helped music artists:

“Because of my love of sports, it was a natural progression to form a company where we can help top athletes in various sports the same way we have been helping artists in the music industry for years.”

ESPN also says that the talk is that Jay-Z has plans to become a certified agent, in baseball first and then eventually in football and basketball, becoming a basketball rep leading Jay-Z to have to give up his part ownership over the Brooklyn Nets if he goes that route.

With this new project and all the endorsement deals that his wife Beyonce’ has going on, these two could be well on their way to snagging the highest paid couple title again this year.