Jay-Z is set to raise the stakes in his new role as a sports agent with the acquisition of an NBA superstar. Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant is reportedly close to joining Jay's Roc Nation Sports agency, according to Sports Business Journal.
The move from his current agency, Landmark Sports, to Roc Nation would make Durant the highest profile NBA player to join Hov's upstart sports agency.
"KD doesn't want a traditional NBA agent anymore," a league source told Yahoo! Sports. "He wants Jay-Z to handle his branding. …He had a chance to be with his idol and couldn't say no."
Though NBA rules do not currently allow Jay-Z to represent Durant on contract negotiations, the rap mogul must first complete the divestment of his co-ownership in the Brooklyn Nets, Roc Nation will still be allowed to work with the three-time NBA scoring champ on marketing deals.
Durant currently has multi-million dollar deals with Nike, Sprint and Gatorade among others.
Acquiring Durant is a significant power move for Roc Nation given in its short existence the agency already boasts big name clientele in New York Yankees star Robinson Cano, WNBA rookie Skylar Diggins, and New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith.
