Jay-Z NBA Agent License; Magna Carta Rapper Certified To Sign Players to Roc Nation Agency
Jay-Z, the rapper, music executive, business mogul and philanthropist can now add another title to his list of occupations--sport agent.
The spokesperson for Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports, Ron Berkowitz, told ESPN the rapper is now certified with the National Basketball Players Association, a report that was first published in the Sports Business Journal.
The Brooklyn-born rapper still has one more task to tackle before he can officially begin work in his new career, which is to sell his small share of the Brooklyn Nets. NBA rules don't allow owners of teams to represent players.
Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant is the first player Jay-Z is expected to sign in his new role as a sports agent. Durant informed his agent Rob Pelinka of his plans to sign with the rapper but has not made the decision public.
Jay-Z's Roc Nation firm already has an impressive roster of athletes, including Tulsa Shock guar Sykyar Diggins, New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and New York Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith.
Smith's signing is currently under investigation by the National Football League's Player Association to determine whether Jay-Z, who isn't certified with the NFL, violated player union rules by recruiting the rookie quarterback without certification.
Roc Nation is also expected to sign New York Giants wide receiver Victor Curz. Cruz was photographed with Jay-Z's other signees at a party in Manhattan on Monday to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the rapper's 40/40 sports bar.
The certification is the second major announcement in Jay-Z news this week. On Sunday the rapper revealed he'll be releasing a new album Magna Carta Holy Grail on July 4 in a Samsung commercial, during the halftime of Game 6 of the NBA Finals. The commercial provided a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the album and featured producers Rick Rubin, Pharrell Williams, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland.
