Paul was born in 1978 in Cleveland, Ohio, as the youngest of five children. His father died when he was young, which made him grow up fast and enter the workforce at 15 years old to help provide for his family. After graduating from Cleveland State University with a BBA in finance, Paul got his start in the sports agency business by interning at an accounting firm working with Michael Leavy and Dan Fegan, the co-founders of Leavy Sports Management (now Relativity Sports). Fegan brought Paul on as an associate after he graduated from college and eventually promoted him to vice president of basketball operations. How Rich Paul Went from Cleveland Kid to Powerful NBA Agent
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From College Basketball to Law School
Rich Paul didn’t have an easy road to becoming one of the most powerful sports agents in the world. He grew up in the inner city of Cleveland, Ohio and played college basketball before going on to law school. Despite coming from humble beginnings, Paul has made a name for himself in the sports world. He founded Klutch Sports Group, which represents a number of prominent NBA players.
A New Chapter Begins – Becoming an Agent
In 2003, after graduating with a degree in business marketing from the University of Massachusetts, Paul became certified by the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) as a player agent. After working for a few years as an intern and then assistant with prominent sports agent Andy Miller, Paul struck out on his own, founding Klutch Sports Group in 2012. Since then, he has quickly made a name for himself as one of the most powerful agents in the NBA.
What Klutch Sports Group Offers Its Clients
Klutch Sports Group is a full-service sports agency that offers its clients a wide range of services. These include contract negotiation, marketing and endorsement deals, public relations, and more. The agency also has a strong focus on player development, helping its clients improve their on-court skills and grow their off-court brands. Klutch Sports Group’s clientele includes some of the biggest names in the NBA, such as LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and John Wall. Thanks to its strong reputation and impressive roster of clients, Klutch Sports Group is one of the most powerful agencies in the NBA.
Q.&A.
In an interview with Forbes, Paul spoke about how he got his start in the sports agent business. He began by working for a small agency in Cleveland before starting his own agency, Klutch Sports Group. He now represents a number of high-profile NBA players, including LeBron James. When asked about his success, Paul credits hard work and determination. I’ve never taken anything off because I always want to win, said Paul. I want everything that I do – if it’s basketball or football or baseball – I want it all.