7:39pm: Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal tweets that Sabathia will now be represented by Jay-Z and agent Juan Perez after "formerly" being represented by the Legacy Agency, which indicates that Sabathia has likely cut ties with the Legacy Agency.
7:27pm: Jay-Z's agency, Roc Nation Sports, has added another high-profile client to its ranks. Yankees lefty CC Sabathia tweeted a picture of himself signing a contract with Jay-Z along with the caption: "#RocNationSports La Familia." Roc Nation also tweeted a welcome message to Sabathia.
It's been a huge year for Jay-Z's new sports agency, as he (along with CAA's Brodie Van Wagenen) negotiated a 10-year, $240MM contract between the Mariners and Robinson Cano. Roc Nation Sports has also added the likes of NBA superstar Kevin Durant, WNBA star Skylar Diggins and NFL star wide receiver Victor Cruz.
It's unclear at this time if Sabathia's agents at the Legacy Agency will remain involved in his baseball dealings. As we saw with Robinson Cano, Roc Nation partnered with CAA in negotiating that deal. Roc Nation could be signing on to handle Sabathia's marketing efforts and brand management while serving as a partner in baseball negotiations, or they could simply be taking on every aspect of his representation.
Sabathia's current deal, negotiated by the Legacy Agency, guarantees him at least $76MM through the 2016 season. He struggled through the worst season of his career in 2013, posting a 4.78 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 in 211 innings with the Yankees as his fastball velocity dipped to a career-low 91.1 mph.
Riaaaaaa
Oh no, not again…
bernbabybern
Wonderful. :rolleyes:
Lance Pistachio
I don’t understand why people would be upset about this. Brodie Van Wagenen has been a successful agent for a long time. People judge based on the face of the agency
Yanks48
Being a Yankee fan, half of us still hate Jay-Z for having Cano leave us. This wouldn’t be a problem if it were just any agent but since JayZ is mainly in the big apple, it just doesn’t seem well
LazerTown
I don’t hate him. He got his client a big contract. Cano could have chosen the Yankees offer if he wanted to. Agent helps negotiate, but in the end it is up to the player.
Yanks48
i dont hate him either but im saying thats what most yankee fans are thinking from what i know
Lionel Bossman Craft
I wouldn’t say most fans but maybe many Yankee fans. My dislike for Jay-Z is much older then this situation with Cano.
Junior7188
ok now i really dislike jay z, he keeps signing yankee players, he better not take cc away from the yankees, and he better not say he a yankee fan, because he’s not.
Riaaaaaa
Why can’t he sign baseball players that aren’t on the Yankees…
Junior7188
that’s what i would like to know…….i guess he has in for the yankees….
BadBJay
that’s where the dinero is.
East Coast Bias
How exactly can he take CC away from the Yankees? CC is under contract.
And honestly, by the time his contract is up, it’s probably best for the Yankees to not resign him back.
Lastly, you can be a fan of a team, and be a good sports agent. They are not mutually exclusive. Case in point: Robbie Cano.
BadBJay
CC has an “out clause,” which allows him to trash his contract with the Yanks and go free agency, if he chooses to. No doubt if CC has a good year, they will exercise it if the Yanks don’t renegotiate.
BadBJay
CC has a clause in his contract – he can go free agent if he wants.
East Coast Bias
No he does not. Do some research. He is under contract until 2016, with an option for 2017.
BadBJay
*sigh* Sources told the Daily News that the seven-year, $161 million contract
that CC Sabathia will sign with the Yankees will contain an opt-out
clause that will allow the lefthander to become a free agent after the
first three years of the contract.
Look it up.
hardcoreforhardcore
This would be relevant information if this was December of 2008, but alas it is not. You’re either extremely hard headed or trolling; I’m guessing the latter.
Leonard Washington
Perhaps Jay read it the same way haha.
Steve Adams
That was in reference to Sabathia’s original deal in 2008. His opt-out already came and went, and he negotiated an extension on top of his existing deal rather than opting out. Sabathia is locked into the rest of his contract through 2016, and he has an option that could vest for the 2017 season.
East Coast Bias
Did you happen to catch the date that article was written? I’m guessing it was in 2008/2009. In 2011, he negotiated his current contract, which does NOT have an opt out clause.
So… yeah. About that looking it up thing…
Tisha Waters
5 years/$122M (2012-16), plus 2017 vesting option
signed extension with NY Yankees 10/31/11
12-15:$23M annually, 16:$25M, 17:$25M vesting option ($5M buyout)
2017 salary guaranteed if Sabathia 1) does not end 2016 on the disabled list with a left shoulder injury, 2) does not spend more than 45 days in 2016 on the disabled list with a left shoulder injury or 3) does not make more than six relief appearances in 2016 because of a left shoulder injury
no-trade protection
perks: suite on road trips
BadBJay
yes he can go free agency after 3 years of his contract with the yanks
East Coast Bias
That’s not an opt out. That’s the end of the contract, with an option for one extra year which guarantees on certain conditions.
In conclusion, you are wrong. CC does NOT have an opt out clause in his current contract.
BadBJay
go search online. 7 year contract contains opt-out clause after 3 years
BadBJay
will allow the lefthander to become a free agent after the first 3 years of his contact.
East Coast Bias
baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/al-east/n…
East Coast Bias
Dude, YOU go search online. That 7 year contract is no longer valid. The new contract is for 5 years and 122m, with an option for 2017 for 25m (5m buyout). This is not classified information.
Ji Qi
The yanks world rather CC go to FA instead of paying the rest of his contract. However, CC can never get paid as much as his current contract from any other club! (Including the dodgers)
LazerTown
CC has several years left on his deal.
TrollinPowell
Illuminati.
East Coast Bias
Why do you guys hate Jay-Z so much? I just don’t get it…
Riaaaaaa
I don’t HATE him. I’m a fan of his music.
Tko11
Possibly because he is full of himself. I do like some of his music though.
kungfucampby
The best part of that tweeted photo is the bowl full of Starbursts. Good candy dish choice!
pft2
CC won’t be getting anymore big contracts since I think he is in rapid decline now. I guess he needs an agent to handle endorsements, and he is a good name for Jay-Z to have on a client list.
disadvantage 2
Can Bronson Arroyo hurry up and join Roc Nation Sports? That way, he can get a baseball and music contract all in one swoop.
jmonroe
How many more MLB contracts is C.C. going to get?
Ron Loreski
Meaning if the Yankees sign Tanaka, he’ll demand more $ or he’s out.
MB923
Too bad that’s not how it works
Orlandochicago
Interesting to see how low is the loyalty of some players. If you take a look a this list you will see what i am talking about.
Guest 3820
Really classy assumption you’re making there, champ.
Jesus Ortiz
Do people honestly think that an agent tells their client who to sign with?!?!?!?
abbatoirnoises
Kind of a weird sign for Jay Z, he’s a Yankee for several more years, at which point he won’t command a very lucrative offer. I’m guessing this had more to do with possible endorsement deals than anything.