NBA agent Rich Paul: "White American athletes dont want a Black agent"

[KingTaharqa]

Rich Paul has become of the most powerful agents in the NBA via his own abilities, maneuvering and, of course, his close friendship with LeBron James. He believes there is a significant group of athletes that don't want to work with him, though.

In a wide-ranging interview with The New Yorker's Isaac Chortiner, Paul discussed the intricacies of being a Black man in a field of agents that is overwhelmingly white. After saying many Black athletes are reluctant to sign with a Black agent, Paul said it was much more the case with their white counterparts:

Paul said, “It’s very difficult for me to represent a white player.” I expressed surprise that this was the case.

“It just is. Look around. There’s very few,” he said. “I represent a player from Bosnia. But, again, he’s international. He looks at it different.”

“So white players who are American don’t want a Black agent?” I asked him.

“They’ll never say that,” Paul answered, cracking a rare smile. “But they don’t. I think there’s always going to be that cloud over America.”

That Bosnian player would be Jusuf Nurkic of the Portland Trail Blazers, who signed with Paul in 2019.


Looking through the list of Paul's known clients, Nurkic appears to be the only white player in the NBA who is represented by Paul. James is obviously the most well-known of the group, alongside Lakers teammate Anthony Davis, Ben Simmons, Draymond Green, Anthony Edwards and John Wall.

Paul also denied rumors that James holds a secret stake in his agency Klutch Sports Group, which would be a clear violation of NBA rules.

LeBron James, Rich Paul address "The Decision"
The New Yorker piece discusses a number of topics as well, including the infamous "Decision," which which James seems to be at peace.

The Lakers star said he felt the televised press conference ended being a breakthrough moment for the player empowerment movement:

James himself is unapologetic and believes that “The Decision” helped other athletes take control of their careers. He told me, “You are always going to have people that are not going to agree with something that you do, but at the end of the day they can’t stop you, and can’t stop your path, and can’t stop your journey. I am happy that I was able to fall on the sword for the rest of these athletes, men and women, to be able to feel empowered.”

Paul did take issue with some of the backlash, though, most notably a Bill Simmons ESPN column blaming the fallout on James' lack of a father figure. Paul's response

“That’s why I don’t speak to Bill Simmons,” he said. “A lot of that has to do with race, too. He wouldn’t have said that about Larry Bird. He wouldn’t have said that about J. J. Redick. You get what I am saying? ‘The Decision’ ten years ago is the norm today. It’s what everyone wants to do. Kids won’t even decide where they go to college without it being a big production, and Bill Simmons says some s*** like that.”

MSN

To be fair Rich, most Black American athletes dont either. Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Paul George, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, the list is long. NBA players aint stupid, having a Black agent makes white people and TLS hold a grudge with you your entire career, ask Bron Bron. And CAc Americans dont entrust Blacks to handle their finances like that, they used to handling those things and us working for them.

 

[THE DRIZZY]

White athletes are on code.

Black athletes need to stand their ground and support their own.

 

[durham]

I respect this brother. Speak the truth and keep growing.

 

[Heavenlywings77]

Of course not. They know the system isn't designed to give a black man the connections he needs to be as effective an agent as say a jew or your run of the mill cave troll

 

[Knuckles666]

1921 is the same as 2021, nothings changed except the few bones that have been thrown our way as an appeasement. Keep smiling and sleeping with the enemy. Like Sgt. Waters said in a Soldier’s Story, “They Hate You!”

 

[Non-StopJFK2TAB]

To be fair everyone wants the curly sideburns people managing their money. It’s probably because they control the money supply and ...

Is this not the place to engage in rampant anti semitism?

 

[DC_Dude]

Doesn’t matter cause the good nba players sign with him. Those white boys better understand rich gets all his clients paid!
Plus klutch taking over the NFL as well.

 

[jlwchief]

He is not wrong, but fuck his becky-lovin ass! I lost all respect for him seeing him with a snowroach....don't tell me shit about black when you laying with yt crabs.

 

[Megatron X]

A lot of niggaz been living in some colorblind fantasy for a long time then they get this nigga wake up call. They don’t think and see things the way you see it. Their religion is white supremacy.

 

[Joe Money]

LeBron James’s Agent Is Transforming the Business of Basketball

LeBron James’s Agent Is Transforming the Business of Basketball

Rich Paul is known for driving hard bargains for star clients, giving them new power in the N.B.A.

www.newyorker.com

 

[Curtwalk]

Dude trying to expand his client base

 

[jasonblacc]

If black athletes did the same!!!!

 

[Non-StopJFK2TAB]

If black athletes did the same!!!!

Athletes are not in a position of power. Money is the finest incubator and inoculation against bullshit:

 

[jasonblacc]

Athletes are not in a position of power. Money is the finest incubator and inoculation against bullshit:

Stop

 

[Chuck_Luck]

Quit thinking that black players are powerful. They are entertainers, just like comedians, and actors. They entertain white America which is why they get their pass in white America, but even that comes with caveats. Must of them know their roles and the strings that are attached. This is why you'll see a black actor in a dress before you'd see one acknowledging what I said.

White America has no respect for black players, actors, or comedians. I would not want to be any of them, I'd prefer only the money.

 

[KingTaharqa]

Quit thinking that black players are powerful. They are entertainers, just like comedians, and actors. They entertain white America which is why they get their pass in white America, but even that comes with caveats. Must of them know their roles and the strings that are attached. This is why you'll see a black actor in a dress before you'd see one acknowledging what I said.

White America has no respect for black players, actors, or comedians. I would not want to be any of them, I'd prefer only the money.

People who don't like calling out white capital and white supremacy will often play up how powerful "entertainers" are. Their wealth isn't independent and is tied to white capital so they don't speak to our interest most times.

 

[Non-StopJFK2TAB]

People who don't like calling out white capital and white supremacy will often play up how powerful "entertainers" are. Their wealth isn't independent and is tied to white capital so they don't speak to our interest most times.

Their wealth is managed by whites in a white economy.

 

[Chuck_Luck]

I tell my kids all the time,

"In America you can be white and average and do very well in this country. Hell, you could be white and below average and still do well.....

But Being black you have to be exceptional to do well in this country and get treated with "some" level of respect.

Now if white ppl think you have to be exceptional to be on their level that is one of the greatest slights."

I tell my kids not to ever forget that.

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

Adele gets cosy LeBron James' agent Rich Paul at NBA finals

Adele was spotted looking cosy next to LeBron James' agent Rich Paul as they sat courtside at game 5 of the NBA Finals in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Dr. Truth]

I tell my kids all the time,

"In America you can be white and average and do very well in this country. Hell, you could be white and below average and still do well.....

But Being black you have to be exceptional to do well in this country and get treated with "some" level of respect.

Now if white ppl think you have to be exceptional to be on their level that is one of the greatest slights."

I tell my kids not to ever forget that.

Make your own lane fuck relying on cacs to determine your place in society. No white man controls where my money comes from. We get it how we get it. If you want to be an employee for some cac cooperation then yes you living by their rules.

 

[totto]

Adele gets cosy LeBron James' agent Rich Paul at NBA finals

Adele was spotted looking cosy next to LeBron James' agent Rich Paul as they sat courtside at game 5 of the NBA Finals in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Yall be following these hustlers when deep down their no different than the white people they serve. All that white players talk and he hooks up with them white women quick.

Like that other dude on here said everyone gets used and that was one real stuff right there and he's 100% right.

 

[Mr. Met]

Their loss.