Football Geno Smith Rapping His Way To a Stadium Near You

Chiefnj2 · 05-22-2013, 02:04 PM

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Geno Smith has joined Jay-Z for one big sports and hip-hop collaboration.

The New York Jets rookie quarterback has chosen the rap artist’s new Roc Nation Sports to represent him. Smith, who slipped out of the first round last month and fell to the Jets in the second round at No. 39 overall, fired his agents — Select Sports — shortly after the NFL draft.

The former West Virginia star met with a handful of agents before announcing Wednesday that he had chosen Jay-Z’s agency, which is partnered with Creative Artists Agency. Smith insisted after practice that Jay-Z didn’t play “that big of a role” in his final decision — although the quarterback recently tweeted a photo of him with the hip-hop star.

“I think it’s just his agency,” Smith said. “When you talk about being in New York from a standpoint of what they can do in the city, the connections that they have, I think it’s a good move. My mother and my family were comfortable with it, and I’m comfortable with it. I’m just going to move on from there. It’s not going to be a big deal.

“I’ll just remain humble and keep focusing on football.”

Kimberly Miale, recently hired by Jay-Z, whose given name is Shawn Carter, will serve as Smith’s contract agent. Smith will be Miale’s first NFL client.

Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and former Notre Dame star Skylar Diggins, drafted No. 3 overall by the WNBA’s Tulsa Shock, have also recently signed with Roc Nation.

Smith, who is competing with Mark Sanchez among others for the team’s starting job, said the decision to go with Jay-Z is not an indication that he’s focused on his image and marketing opportunities — as speculated by some.

“It’s not that important to me, honestly,” Smith said. “The only thing that’s important to me is the image that’s perceived around this locker room, the guy I am to my teammates, to my coaches and the work I put in on the football field. I’m all about football.

“I’m all about getting better.”

Smith is not the first NFL player to sign with a hip-hop mogul. New Orleans Saints running back Ricky Williams hired rapper Master P’s No Limit Sports agency to negotiate his rookie deal, which is largely regarded as one of the game’s worst contracts because it included a minimum base salary and incentives that were difficult to reach. Williams later fired the agency and hired Leigh Steinberg to represent him.

durtyrute · 05-22-2013, 02:07 PM

Smart move, Jay-Z is a hell of a business man.

**Donger** · 05-22-2013, 02:07 PM

From the Onion?

**alpha_omega** · 05-22-2013, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by durtyrute

Smart move, Jay-Z is a hell of a business man.

Heh...smart enough not to ask Sanchez if he was interested in representation.

ChiefsCountry · 05-22-2013, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpha_omega

Heh...smart enough not to ask Sanchez if he was interested in representation.

The two contracts that Sanchez signed where huge deals.

**Bowser** · 05-22-2013, 02:16 PM

Tyler Bray can freestyle circles around Geno. /Mr. Tomahawk

CaliforniaChief · 05-22-2013, 02:17 PM

I heard Scott Boras talk about the shift in mindset with athletes over the years on radio a week or so ago.

Basically, he said that players are now choosing guys that they like and want to be around, not business-people who will maximize their earnings. Yeah, consider the source. But I thought it was interesting.

MagicHef · 05-22-2013, 02:17 PM

Thread title is one letter away from an SNR wet dream.

**RealSNR** · 05-22-2013, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicHef

Thread title is one letter away from an SNR wet dream.

Misleading thread title.

Ban plz.

patteeu · 05-22-2013, 02:20 PM

There appears to be more than a little LJ in Geno.

KCUnited · 05-22-2013, 02:21 PM

All black everything

**DaneMcCloud** · 05-22-2013, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

I heard Scott Boras talk about the shift in mindset with athletes over the years on radio a week or so ago.

Basically, he said that players are now choosing guys that they like and want to be around, not business-people who will maximize their earnings. Yeah, consider the source. But I thought it was interesting.

Boras would know.

There is no way in the world that I'd sign a deal with a brand new agency, unless their agents had a long track record of success elsewhere.

I know that Mr. Carter has the backing of CAA with his new venture, so it may work out for Smith.

But personally, I'd have hired Tom Condon.

Titty Meat · 05-22-2013, 02:25 PM

Jay-z was a disaster as president of def jam. I wouldn't want him to represent me.

**DaneMcCloud** · 05-22-2013, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patteeu

There appears to be more than a little LJ in Geno.

Sean Carter is an extremely successful man. It's likely that Smith signed him because he convinced him that he could market him not only to black audiences but white as well.

Carter has a huge fan base, even in corporate America.

**DaneMcCloud** · 05-22-2013, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

Jay-z was a disaster as president of def jam. I wouldn't want him to represent me.

The music business in general is a disaster, so I'd hardly blame that on him.

05-22-2013, 02:04 PM
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $7883688	Geno Smith Rapping His Way To a Stadium Near You FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Geno Smith has joined Jay-Z for one big sports and hip-hop collaboration. The New York Jets rookie quarterback has chosen the rap artist’s new Roc Nation Sports to represent him. Smith, who slipped out of the first round last month and fell to the Jets in the second round at No. 39 overall, fired his agents — Select Sports — shortly after the NFL draft. The former West Virginia star met with a handful of agents before announcing Wednesday that he had chosen Jay-Z’s agency, which is partnered with Creative Artists Agency. Smith insisted after practice that Jay-Z didn’t play “that big of a role” in his final decision — although the quarterback recently tweeted a photo of him with the hip-hop star. “I think it’s just his agency,” Smith said. “When you talk about being in New York from a standpoint of what they can do in the city, the connections that they have, I think it’s a good move. My mother and my family were comfortable with it, and I’m comfortable with it. I’m just going to move on from there. It’s not going to be a big deal. “I’ll just remain humble and keep focusing on football.” Kimberly Miale, recently hired by Jay-Z, whose given name is Shawn Carter, will serve as Smith’s contract agent. Smith will be Miale’s first NFL client. Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and former Notre Dame star Skylar Diggins, drafted No. 3 overall by the WNBA’s Tulsa Shock, have also recently signed with Roc Nation. Smith, who is competing with Mark Sanchez among others for the team’s starting job, said the decision to go with Jay-Z is not an indication that he’s focused on his image and marketing opportunities — as speculated by some. “It’s not that important to me, honestly,” Smith said. “The only thing that’s important to me is the image that’s perceived around this locker room, the guy I am to my teammates, to my coaches and the work I put in on the football field. I’m all about football. “I’m all about getting better.” Smith is not the first NFL player to sign with a hip-hop mogul. New Orleans Saints running back Ricky Williams hired rapper Master P’s No Limit Sports agency to negotiate his rookie deal, which is largely regarded as one of the game’s worst contracts because it included a minimum base salary and incentives that were difficult to reach. Williams later fired the agency and hired Leigh Steinberg to represent him.
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05-22-2013, 02:07 PM	#2
durtyrute MVP Join Date: Mar 2011 Casino cash: $8286085	Smart move, Jay-Z is a hell of a business man.
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05-22-2013, 02:07 PM	#3
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $10369900 VARSITY	From the Onion? __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
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Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3461616	Tyler Bray can freestyle circles around Geno. /Mr. Tomahawk
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05-22-2013, 02:17 PM	#7
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $12422899	I heard Scott Boras talk about the shift in mindset with athletes over the years on radio a week or so ago. Basically, he said that players are now choosing guys that they like and want to be around, not business-people who will maximize their earnings. Yeah, consider the source. But I thought it was interesting.
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05-22-2013, 02:17 PM	#8
MagicHef The Seated Villain Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seattle Casino cash: $2480247	Thread title is one letter away from an SNR wet dream.
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05-22-2013, 02:20 PM	#10
patteeu The 23rd Pillar Join Date: Sep 2002 Casino cash: $10019237	There appears to be more than a little LJ in Geno. __________________ “Boy, you all want power. God, I hope you never get it.” - Lindsay Graham
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05-22-2013, 02:25 PM	#13
Titty Meat Inmem 2.0 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: My house Casino cash: $2297558	Jay-z was a disaster as president of def jam. I wouldn't want him to represent me.
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