Move over, Jay Z, there is a new musician-turned-sports agent in town. Magnus Media, a company which singer Marc Anthony founded, announced Monday the signing of Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman as its first client under the new Magnus Sports umbrella.
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, Magnus Sports will work in conjunction with Praver Shapiro Sports Management to represent athletes. Anthony’s company plans to specifically focus on marketing Latino players.
“Baseball, like music, is an ingrained cultural passion for many Latinos throughout the world, and there’s no shortage of amazing stars of Hispanic origin,” Anthony said. “Despite that, until now there hasn’t been an enterprise specifically designed to meet their needs. With Magnus Sports, we are changing the existing dynamics and building a new kind of management company that understands the culture and knows how to build big media brands.”
Praver Shapiro already boasts Miami Marlins shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria, Chicago Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler and Reds starter Raisel Iglesias among its Latino clients. The partnership will be similar to the one Roc Nation Sports had with CAA Sports at its inception. Roc Nation and CAA split earlier this year.
Bringing in Chapman, arguably baseball’s best closer, is a strong sign that Magnus Sports means business. The 27-year-old has compiled 145 saves over the past four seasons while emerging as one of the most prolific power arms in the sport. He has a career strikeout rate of 15.4 per nine innings and threw the 62 fastest pitches of the 2015 season.
Due to hit free agency next winter, Chapman will likely come close to or set the record for average annual salary for a closer. Having an elite agency to negotiate his contract and a burgeoning sports marketing firm at his back should ensure he is well taken care of.
Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com