Pivot Podcast

Rich Paul: On earning reputation of most powerful non-owner in NBA, talks building sports & media empire from ground up, bond with Lebron James, Draymond Green, Anthony Davis, two-way contracts & Bronny James joins Lakers with his dad


Listen Later

"So many people want to be a part of the announcement and not a part of the investment."- Rich Paul, Founder of Klutch Sports

Less than 24 hours away from the 2024 NBA Draft and all the talk is around a potential late round draft prospect, And why? Well because of the name on the back of his jersey. 

The sports world is currently divided over discussions about nepotism in basketball, sparked by Bronny James' announcement that he will enter the NBA draft after just one year at USC. In the latest episode of The Pivot, Ryan, Channing, and Fred sit down with Rich Paul, founder of Klutch Sports Group and super agent not just for big NBA stars and Lebron but Bronny too, as the guys go in depth for a very telling conversation from the source himself. They dive into Rich’s long-standing relationship with LeBron James, yet their separate approaches to navigating Bronny’s entry into the NBA draft and his future career. Rich is very clear, although Bronny is considered his nephew, he is treating him as he would any of the other athletes he represents, sharing the best case scenario, discussing various approaches and details what he actually means by declining two-way contracts. Rich has made a name for himself as a leader in sports business and transcending athlete representation by doing it his own way, which has raised the bar in the industry. 

Way before Rich Paul and Lebron met, Rich was hustling and grinding his way through life, from selling jerseys out of his car to becoming a prominent CEO in sports representation. He provides insights into his journey to become one of the most influential businessmen in sports, outgrowing his title of agent through his contributions in sports and entertainment growth over the years. Rich gives perspective into his philosophy as a man, agent and friend, emphasizing his consistent yet authentic approach in managing high-profile clients like LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Draymond Green as well as his female clients in WNBA led by the league's MVP A'ja Wilson.

Rich prides himself in building strong personal connections both within and outside the sports industry and talks about how he will not only stick by his athletes through their successes, but will also stand in the rain with them when things get tough as he demonstrated with Draymond Green recently. This mentality isn't a front, it's just who Rich Paul is, and is best described in his book, "Lucky Me" about changing the odds and going against the grain to reach success: "You don't have to finish where you start," which is why he has earned the trust of the best of the best in basketball and paved the way for it to be a business built on people skills and relationships and not by mandated college degrees.  

For continued viewing and listening of more Pivot content and unique conversations in sports and entertainment with A-list celebs, top athletes and leaders in business, Subscribe to catch new episodes of The Pivot released on YouTube every Tuesday at 12 p.m. ET and Fridays at 3:30 p.m. ET, with early release of audio available on major streaming platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

New York City, come meet us at Fanatics Fest NYC! We’ll be recording our podcast LIVE with some special guests, signing autographs, meeting fans, taking photos and more. We’re excited to be at FFNYC alongside some of the biggest names in sports such as Tom Brady, Derek Jeter, Kevin Durant, Sabrina Ionescu, and more. FFNYC is happening August 16 –18, 2004 at the Javits Center. Visit https://bit.ly/3R0f8hn to buy your tickets now!

”GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER(CO/IL/KS/KY/MD/MI/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA/VT/WV), (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), or Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), (888) 789-7777 orccpg.org (CT), or 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), or www.mdgamblinghelp.org(MD), or morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), or1800gambler.net (WV)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Pivot PodcastBy It's Never Too Late To Pivot

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

2,993 ratings


More shows like Pivot Podcast

View all
Drink Champs by The Black Effect and iHeartPodcasts

Drink Champs

6,811 Listeners

First Take by ESPN, Stephen A. Smith, Molly Qerim Rose

First Take

5,659 Listeners

Club 520 Podcast by iHeartPodcasts & The Volume

Club 520 Podcast

1,357 Listeners

Million Dollaz Worth Of Game by Barstool Sports

Million Dollaz Worth Of Game

10,957 Listeners

All The Smoke by The Black Effect and iHeartPodcasts

All The Smoke

7,609 Listeners

Club Shay Shay by iHeartPodcasts and Shay Shay Media

Club Shay Shay

7,401 Listeners

KG Certified by Black Effect x All The Smoke Productions

KG Certified

222 Listeners

Gil's Arena by Underdog Fantasy

Gil's Arena

450 Listeners

Nightcap by iHeartPodcasts and Shay Shay Media

Nightcap

1,822 Listeners

7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony by Wave

7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony

606 Listeners

IT IS WHAT IT IS by Ma$e & Cam'ron

IT IS WHAT IT IS

814 Listeners

The Underground Lounge by THEORY COMMUNICATIONS

The Underground Lounge

118 Listeners

4th&1 Podcast with Cam Newton by Iconic Saga

4th&1 Podcast with Cam Newton

87 Listeners

Out the Mud by iHeartPodcasts

Out the Mud

172 Listeners

Joe and Jada by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Joe and Jada

446 Listeners