Robinson Cano Dumps Scott Boras For Jay Z

ESPN – Roc Nation, an entertainment company founded by Shawn Carter, also known as Jay-Z, will announce on Tuesday that it is getting into the sports representation business through a partnership with Creative Artists Agency (CAA). The company, which will be known as Roc Nation Sports, has signed its first client, the New York Yankees‘ Robinson Cano. Cano, who has left agent Scott Boras, is in the final year of a six-year, $57 million deal with the team.  “At this point in my career, I am ready to take a more active role in my endeavors on and off the field,” Cano said, in a statement. “I am confident that the pairing of Roc Nation Sports and CAA Sports will be essential in helping me accomplish my short and long-term goals. I am making this important decision now so I can keep my focus on helping the Yankees succeed in 2013, while minimizing any distractions for me and my teammates.” It remains to be seen whether this alters the trajectory of Cano’s talks with the Yankees, who have been trying to sign the star second baseman. The Yankees made an offer to Cano earlier this winter, in dealing with Boras, but hadn’t gained any traction in their talks, and when Boras clients get this close to free agency, they typically play out their contracts and test the market.  Sources say Jay-Z himself is planning to be a certified agent, first in baseball and eventually in basketball and football. In order to represent clients in basketball, he would have to give up his small share of the Brooklyn Nets.

I’m not a genius when it comes to contract negotiation. I don’t have a single thing in writing from El Pres. And I can actually see where some guys might not wanna be represented by Scott Boras anymore. But dumping the worlds most successful sports agent to be represented by a rapper is probably not the smartest idea. I mean yes, I know Jay Z won’t really be his agent at the negotiating table. He’s probably as much of an agent as he is an owner of the Nets. But when you’re on the verge of signing your lifetime contract in the prime of your career, going out on a limb with Young Hova seems like a peculiar choice. At the end of the day, Cano’s play is gonna get him like $180-$200 mil no matter who is handling his free agency. But I personally would have just stuck with Boras for one last contract, guaranteed myself top dollar, and left Jay Z and “Roc Nation” out of my professional life.

PS – Every time an athlete tries to get into rapping or a rapper tries to get into sports, it is an unmitigated disaster. When are these idiots gonna learn their lesson? (Note: Obviously I’m not talking about Shaq Fu)

PPS – Think this means Cano re-signs with the Yankees without ever hitting the open market? Probably.