Two major player agencies will be consolidated in the near future, according to Liz Mullin of SportsBusiness Journal, who hears from sources that CAA Sports is finalizing a deal to acquire Five Star Athlete Management. Todd France, who runs the Five Star agency, has been telling player clients and others in the industry that he expects to become a part of CAA Sports as early as August, reports Mullin.
Five Star Athlete Management, which was formerly run by current Bills owner Terry Pegula, represents about 50 NFL players. Broncos wideout Demaryius Thomas, Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib, Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara, and Jets receiver Eric Decker are among the firm’s most notable NFL clients, with Thomas and Dareus among those who could get lucrative new contracts this summer.
France, who initially sold his agency to Pegula in 2011 before re-acquiring it after Pegula bought the Bills, currently owns 100% of Five Star, an Atlanta-based firm. I expect France will continue to represent most or all of his current roster of players after the deal with CAA is completed, with the power of a larger agency behind him.