• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Athletes First Top NFL Agency With $2B in Deals

  • Athletes First is the top sports agency for NFL players.
  • The agency has negotiated $2 billion in contracts for 75 active players.
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

Athletes First is the top sports agency for NFL players, with roughly $2 billion in negotiated contracts for 75 active players, according to a study by Pickwise and ICS-digital.

The California-based agency is led by agents Todd France and David Mulugheta, whose clients include NFL stars Jalen Ramsey, Deshaun Watson and Dak Prescott

France is the top-ranked NFL agent by commissions, with roughly $36 million earned from $1.19 billion in contracts negotiated among 33 active players. Mulugheta ranks third with $25 million in commissions on the back of $830 million in deals for 42 active players. 

Athletes First has negotiated multiple historic deals for its clients since 2020. 

  • Last year, Ramsey agreed to a five-year, $105 million extension, making him the first defensive back in NFL history to secure a nine-figure deal.
  • The same year, Watson signed a four-year, $160 million extension, which included $111 million in guarantees.
  • Prescott signed a four-year, $160 million extension in March, which included a $66 million signing bonus and a no-trade clause.

Athletes First has $4 billion in contract value under management as of Dec. 22, 2020, including players who have retired and been cut, per Forbes. The agency has pocketed roughly $85 million in commissions. 

NFL contracts will continue to reach new heights with a higher salary cap. In May, the NFL and NFLPA agreed to a salary cap ceiling of $208.2 million for the 2022 season, up from $182.5 million in 2021.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jan 30, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; The Pro Bowl Games logo on the Camping World Stadium facade.

NFL Pro Bowl Struggles for Relevance As Stars Sit Out, TV Ratings..

The Pro Bowl Games will culminate with a flag football contest Sunday.
U.S. Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro (left) and Sunil Gulati (center) and MLS commissioner Don Garber (right) pose for a photo.

Billionaire Who Chaired NASL Admits He Used Burner Account to Attack MLS,..

Rocco Commisso, the Mediacom founder, compared the MLS commissioner to Harvey Weinstein.
Nov 20, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) calls the play in the huddle during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

NFL’s Best Bargain? Patrick Mahomes Leading Chiefs’ Dynasty Quest

He’s not one of the 10 highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL.

Super Bowl Rematch Set: Chiefs, Eagles Meet With History at Play

Kansas City beat Philadelphia, 38–35, in Super Bowl LVII.

Featured Today

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kristin Juszczyk, wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44), before a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium.
February 1, 2025

The New WAGs: Sports Wives Building Business Empires

Athletes’ wives and girlfriends are bucking stereotypes and cashing in.
Feb 3, 2019; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears mascot dances on the court during a stoppage in play in the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Haas Pavilion.
January 31, 2025

The Toll of Bicoastal Travel on New ACC Members Cal and Stanford

Cal and Stanford face missed flights, chaotic sleep schedules, and academic demands.
January 28, 2025

It’s Starting to Pay to Be Good at Cornhole

American Cornhole League players made $7.7 million in 2024.
exclusive

Talor Gooch Using LIV Golf Fortune to Start Building Sports Empire

The golfer has made more than $43 million individually from LIV.
November 13, 2024

Why Liberty Media Spun Off Assets, Shook Up Leadership

Longtime CEO Greg Maffei is stepping down at the end of the year.
December 4, 2024

U.S. Firm Makes $310M Bet on Soccer by Forming Superagency

The U.S.-based investment company makes a significant play in international soccer.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Oct 27, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field.
October 30, 2024

Buffalo Bills in Talks to Sell Stake to PE Firm Arctos: Report

Arctos already has a slice of Paris Saint-Germain and the PGA Tour, among other assets.
Jul 7, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik hoists the Stanley Cup after the Lightning defeated the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 in game five to win the 2021 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena.
October 25, 2024

Lightning Sell at $1.8B Valuation, Nearly Double Prior NHL Record

The Lightning unveiled a multistep and multiyear sale process.
May 24, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban celebrates after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in game two of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center.
October 9, 2024

Why Mark Cuban Sold the Dallas Mavericks When He Did

Cuban sold his majority stake to the Adelson family in December 2023.
Young fans look over Michigan State sports equipment on display during the Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
October 2, 2024

Private Equity Firms Buy Rival Hockey Brands CCM and Bauer

Both brands have been around for decades and changed ownership in the same week.