Browns star Myles Garrett is on the move.
Before you call 911 over that heart attack, let me clarify.
Garrett is moving agencies.
One of the NFL’s most prolific pass rushers is joining forces with one sport’s most prolific player agencies.
Browns star Myles Garrett is officially a Klutch Sports client.
Welcome @Flash_Garrett! #Klutch pic.twitter.com/UDRZ2OhTAP
— Klutch Sports Group (@KlutchSports) May 17, 2022
It’s a bit of a surprising move, especially considering Garrett signed a five-year, $125 million extension back in 2020.
But, when an agency like Klutch comes knocking, it’s hard to resist.
Klutch was founded back in 2012, when owner Rich Paul, along with LeBron James, left James’ Creative Artists Agency.
But the agency began in earnest back in 2002, when Paul, who was selling vintage sports jerseys out of his car, linked up with James and sold him a few throwback threads.
Since then, Paul and James have been thick as thieves, with the former now representing an impressive roster of sports and entertainment stars, including NBA’s James, Ben Simmons, Draymond Green, as well as football’s Alvin Kamara and Melvin Gordon.
The LeBron Factor
One of the angles many Cleveland fans and writers couldn’t resist was the LeBron connection.
#Browns DE Myles Garrett has signed with Klutch Sports. This is the first year of the 5-year, $125 million extension he signed in July 2020
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) May 17, 2022
#Browns DE Myles Garrett is now represented by Nicole Lynn of Klutch Sports, who also represents LT Jedrick Wills Jr.
— Brad Stainbrook (@StainbrookNFL) May 17, 2022
Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett signs with Klutch Sports; same agency as LeBron James https://t.co/pP58chg7G5 pic.twitter.com/TUFdwT9ccH
— Frank Macek @WKYC Studios (@MacekNewsNation) May 18, 2022
#Browns DE Myles Garrett joins the LeBron James' sports family by hiring agent Nicole Lynn, President of Operations at Klutch Sports, which reps James and was founded by his close friend Rich Paul https://t.co/ZRYZuKsq3i
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) May 17, 2022
Myles Garrett recently left his previous agent Bus Cook to join Klutch, which is beginning to have a stronger presence on the #Browns’ roster. https://t.co/Z3zBU6w2TT
— cdotcombrowns (@cdotcombrowns) May 17, 2022
Yes, Klutch also represents LeBron.
And yes, another Cleveland front office across town has significant experience negotiating with Klutch.
Maybe Andrew Berry can call up David Griffin for some advice?
Although…given the fact that Griffin is now in New Orleans…maybe he’s not the go-to source for Klutch negotiations.
Whatever Berry does, he should probably stay away from Dan Gilbert.
Please.
Fortunately, not many seemed to take the connection to the degree by suggesting LeBron could return to the Cavaliers.
It’s obviously an undeniable storyline, but one that has absolutely no merit.
Instead, the Garrett-Klutch link up should be heralded as one that joins up two Clevelanders in Myles Garrett and Rich Paul.
Increasing Presence
Garrett is not the first Brown added to the Klutch rolodex.
The agency also represents Browns tackle Jedrick Wills.
Who knows, maybe the two got talking in the trenches during practice, while Wills tried to protect a QB from Garrett’s pressure?
Garrett’s addition is evidence of Klutch’s increasing presence not only on the Browns, but in the NFL.
In recent years, Klutch has been both lauded and decried for ushering in a “player empowerment” era in basketball.
The swing has shifted leverage towards the players, with contracts set up that generally give players the most flexibility long-term.
And because Klutch’s client list is so deep, it can essentially advise players to sign for franchises favorable to Klutch negotiations.
It remains to be seen if such a move will take place in the NFL.
If more NFL players sign with Klutch, it could trigger a similar change.
But roster-wise and agency-wise, the NFL is a far different place than the NBA.
Don’t expect super-agent Drew Rosenhaus to go down without a fight, nor NFL owners being too keen on any sort of “player empowerment.”
Nonetheless, Klutch has strong name recognition and legitimacy within the representation business should it seek to expand further into professional football.
Adding Garrett isn’t a bad place to start.
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