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One of the most powerful people in basketball went from selling jerseys out of his car to representing the players wearing them.
Time for a thread
Time for a thread
1) Rich Paul grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, in a one-bedroom apartment above his father's convenience store.
Paul was a good athlete but was always more interested in business.
As a teenager, Paul would buy retro jerseys from Atlanta and sell them out of his car in Cleveland.
Paul was a good athlete but was always more interested in business.
As a teenager, Paul would buy retro jerseys from Atlanta and sell them out of his car in Cleveland.
2) In 2002, Rich Paul was boarding a flight at the Akron-Canton airport when one encounter changed his life forever.
High school phenom LeBron James stopped Paul after noticing his throwback Warren Moon jersey.
The two chatted and exchanged numbers.
"It was fate," Paul says.
High school phenom LeBron James stopped Paul after noticing his throwback Warren Moon jersey.
The two chatted and exchanged numbers.
"It was fate," Paul says.
3) After exchanging numbers in the airport, Rich Paul sold LeBron James a Magic Johnson and Joe Namath jersey.
Over the the next year, after realizing their aligned vision on life, money, and career, their friendship grew stronger.
In 2003, Lebron made his first big decision…
Over the the next year, after realizing their aligned vision on life, money, and career, their friendship grew stronger.
In 2003, Lebron made his first big decision…
4) Looking to solidify his inner circle after the '03 NBA Draft, LeBron James offered jobs to his friends Randy, Maverick and Rich.
The concept was simple — Lebron wanted to work with and be surrounded by people he trusted.
Paul was paid $50k annually and in charge of marketing
The concept was simple — Lebron wanted to work with and be surrounded by people he trusted.
Paul was paid $50k annually and in charge of marketing
5) After leading marketing efforts for 3+ years, Rich Paul approached LeBron James with an idea.
Paul wanted to become an NBA agent, but there was just one problem.
He needed to learn the ropes.
LeBron had his own idea, arranging for Paul to shadow his agent Leon Rose at CAA.
Paul wanted to become an NBA agent, but there was just one problem.
He needed to learn the ropes.
LeBron had his own idea, arranging for Paul to shadow his agent Leon Rose at CAA.
6) After announcing his desire to become an NBA agent, Rich Paul spent 7-yrs shadowing veteran agent Leon Rose.
Eventually, Paul built up his own roster of clients including Tristan Thompson and Eric Bledsoe.
But in 2012, Paul decided to leave CAA — founding Klutch Sports Group
Eventually, Paul built up his own roster of clients including Tristan Thompson and Eric Bledsoe.
But in 2012, Paul decided to leave CAA — founding Klutch Sports Group
7) Shortly after Rich Paul founded Klutch Sports, his longtime friend LeBron James decided to join him.
In the 8-yrs since, Paul has signed 25+ NBA players including Anthony Davis & Ben Simmons — while also negotiating ~$1B in contracts.
But with success, comes controversy….
In the 8-yrs since, Paul has signed 25+ NBA players including Anthony Davis & Ben Simmons — while also negotiating ~$1B in contracts.
But with success, comes controversy….
8) In 2019, the NCAA announced the "Rich Paul Rule," which required new agents to have a bachelors degree.
Paul responded, saying a 4-yr degree "systematically excludes those who come from a world where college is unrealistic."
Within hours, the NCAA reversed their decision.
Paul responded, saying a 4-yr degree "systematically excludes those who come from a world where college is unrealistic."
Within hours, the NCAA reversed their decision.
9) Last week, The Athletic released anonymous quotes from NBA agents on various topics.
When asked about LeBron, one agent pivoted to Rich Paul — accusing him of player "mismanagement" and being a "facade" for LeBron.
What they don't realize?
Attacking Paul won't stop him.
When asked about LeBron, one agent pivoted to Rich Paul — accusing him of player "mismanagement" and being a "facade" for LeBron.
What they don't realize?
Attacking Paul won't stop him.
10) Discrediting Rich Paul's success because of LeBron is lazy — should he be blamed for making the most of an opportunity?
The greatest entrepreneurs have it in their blood and Rich Paul is no different.
He went from selling jerseys to representing the players wearing them.
The greatest entrepreneurs have it in their blood and Rich Paul is no different.
He went from selling jerseys to representing the players wearing them.
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