Jay-Z's Roc Nation Athletes

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jan 17, 2014

Jay-Z's Roc Nation Athletes

Robinson Cano

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Jay-Z's Roc Nation announced itself to the world in early April 2013 when it signed then-Yankees second baseman and five-time All-Star Robinson Cano away from Scott Boras. Cano, who had spent nine years in the Bronx, signed a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Seattle Mariners.

Victor Cruz

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In April 2013, Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz signed on with Roc Nation. Cruz signed a five-year, $43 million extension with New York that summer, which will keep the Giants' best receiver close to Jay-Z's hometown for his NFL prime.

Skylar Diggins

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In late April 2013, former Notre Dame college basketball star Skylar Diggins signed with Roc Nation. Diggins, who was selected No. 3 in the WNBA draft by the Tulsa Shock, became the agency's third client, after Cano and Cruz. Diggins was a four-time All-American at Notre Dame; in her second season in Tulsa, the guard averaged 20.1 points per game.

Geno Smith

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Roc Nation scooped up Jets quarterback Geno Smith before the former West Virginia college star had even played a single down in the NFL. Smith signed with Roc Nation in May 2013, a move that generated controversy because Jay-Z was not officially credentialed as an agent. On his track "La Familia" from his recent record "Magna Carta Holy Grail," Jay-Z poked fun at the situation: "NFL investigations / Oh, don't make me laugh."

Kevin Durant

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Kevin Durant has established himself as one of the best players in the NBA. Durant signed with Roc Nation in June 2013 and immediately became the most high-profile coup for the agency. Unless he signs an extension with the Thunder, Durant will hit free agency in 2016.

C.C. Sabathia

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C.C. Sabathia joined former teammate Robinson Cano in Roc Nation's emerging client base in Jan. 2014. Sabathia was signed through 2016 at salaries of $23 million in each of the next two seasons and $25 million in 2016. The Yankees hold a $25 million option for 2017 with a $5 million buyout.

Hakeem Nicks

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Hakeem Nicks joined Roc Nation in Feb. 2014, after becoming a free agent for the first time in his career. He spent five seasons with the New York Giants, where he quickly became an integral part of the team's offense. Following a down season in 2013 for Nicks, who failed to grab a touchdown from a struggling Eli Manning, the Indianapolis Colts signed the wide receiver to a one-year, $3.975 million contract with a $2 million signing bonus in March 2014.

James Young

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Former Kentucky and current Boston Celtics basketball player James Young was spotted sitting next to Rihanna during a Brooklyn Nets game at the Barclays Center in May 2014. She later broke the news Young signed with Roc Nation on her Instagram, "“I am proud to say that JAMES YOUNG is the newest member of the #ROCNationSports family!!! WELCOME HOME!!!"

Rusney Castillo

The Cuban defector signed with Roc Nation in June 2014, and two months later the Boston Red Sox agreed to a seven-year, $72.5 million deal with the outfielder

Ndamukong Suh

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Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh signed with Roc Nation in Sept. 2014. Suh is in the final year of his rookie contract with the Lions. His base salary of $12.55 million and bonuses are scheduled to count $22.4 million against the team's salary cap next season.

Yoenis Cespedes

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Roc Nation added their second Cuban outfielder with the Boston Red Sox in Oct. 2014. Yoenis Cespedes will be a free agent after the 2015 season and is expected to land a lucrative contract.

Dez Bryant

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Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant joined Roc Nation Sports in Nov. 2014 while in the last season of his rookie contract and being paid $1.78 million in base salary. When asked about his decision to change agents, Bryant reportedly said "It ain't about a contract. It's about me branding myself and being an icon for these kids."

Andre Ward

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Jay-Z signed WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward to Roc Nation Sports in Jan. 2015. It has been 14 months since Ward wiped out Edwin Rodriguez, his last fight before a protracted battle with former promoter Dan Goossen put him on the shelf. That squabble ended with a settlement, freeing Ward (27-0) to ink a lucrative contract with Roc Nation within a week later.

Todd Gurley

Georgia running back Todd Gurley signed with Jay Z's Roc Nation Sports in Jan. 2015. Gurley, 20, tore the ACL in his left knee in November against Auburn and missed the rest of the season. It was his first game back since serving a four-game suspension for accepting money for autographs. Gurley, who will enter the 2015 NFL draft, rushed for 911 yards and nine touchdowns while also catching 16 passes for 117 yards in six games in 2014.