Klutch Sports Group, the sports agency run by Rich Paul, is in talks to partner with William Morris Endeavor (WME), sources told The Action Network.
Klutch has emerged as a force in the NBA representation business, as it works with LeBron James, Ben Simmons, Anthony Davis, John Wall and Draymond Green, among others.
A possible partnership makes sense. Since Klutch is primarily focused on contracts, this deal would give the agency considerable new marketing resources. WME doesn’t do player contracts, but does marketing. Their main competitor, CAA, does both.
LeBron switched to Klutch when Paul, James’ childhood friend, broke away from CAA and Leon Rose in 2012. James signed with WME two years later for his many television and movie projects under SpringHill Entertainment. By that time, WME had purchased competitor IMG.
Green is also already repped by WME for off-court projects.
WME has represented athletes in their post-career work, too, including Kobe Bryant, Michael Strahan and Alex Rodriguez.
Klutch works with expected first-round pick Talen Horton-Tucker from Iowa State and Darius Bazley, who took a year off after signing with New Balance before entering this draft.
The deal on the table does not include the possibility of Klutch being absorbed by WME, as the agency is not for sale, sources said.
James does not own any stake of the agency; it would be against league rules.
