Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant joins Jay-Z's Roc Nation agency
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant has joined Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports agency, the agency announced Sunday morning.
Bryant said after the Cowboys' 28-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals that he's now willing to discuss a new contract with the team during the season but that he didn't change agencies solely because of his contract.
Bryant is currently in the last season of his rookie contract and is being paid $1.78 million in base salary this season. He's discussed a contract extension with the Cowboys in the past but tabled talks until after the regular season once it began.
ESPN.com reports that Bryant's joining Roc Nation went against the wishes of Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones.
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Bryant's contract will be negotiated by representatives from CAA, the group led by prominent agent Tom Condon, in conjunction with Roc Nation. The two companies had a similar arrangement for negotiations for New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz and Indianapolis Colts receiver Hakeem Nicks, according to ESPN.com.
Roc Nation's president recently said that the company was looking to hire agents and buy agencies. The group represents 11 professional athletes from the NBA, NFL, WNBA and MLB, most notably Kevin Durant and Robinson Cano.
Roc Nation Sports was established by Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, in 2013. The rapper and business mogul sold his share in the Brooklyn Nets in order to be allowed to represent NBA players.
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Bryant had two receptions for 15 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals and had 48 catches for 620 yards and five touchdowns entering Sunday. The 25-year-old made his first Pro Bowl last season when he had 93 receptions for 1,233 yards and 13 touchdowns.
It was reported Friday that Bryant got into a confrontation with teammate Joseph Randle over comments Randle made about a past alleged criminal incident involving Bryant and his mother.
The Cowboys' loss was their second straight and dropped them to 6-3 this season. The Cardinals improved to 7-1.
- Ben Estes
