Report: Jay-Z, Geno Smith recruitment to be 'aggressively pursued' by NFLPA
The NFLPA plans to "aggressively pursue" whether Jay-Z was involved in recruiting Geno Smith to Roc Nation. (Al Pereira/Getty Images)
The NFL Players Association plans to "aggressively pursue" an investigation into Roc Nation's recruitment of New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported Monday.
According to Florio, the NFLPA is worried about losing respect and credibility if it doesn't act decisively.
“De Smith doesn’t want to be made a fool of,” one source told Florio, referring to NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith.
At issue is a 2012 NFLPA rule, which states that only NFLPA-certified agents may be involved in the recruitment of clients. If Jay-Z had any role in recruiting Smith, Roc Nation agent Kim Miale and the company could have violated NFLPA recruiting rules.
Fueling the controversy is a picture Smith posted on Instagram during the recruiting process, as well as a quote from Smith’s adviser, John Thornton.
“It really all came down to who he was most comfortable with," Thornton, told CBS Sports. "I was in those meetings and Jay-Z connected with him on many levels.”
