Former NBA players Tracy McGrady and Jermaine O’Neal are creating their own sports and entertainment agency.
What we know:
- McGrady and O’Neal plan on opening their new agency this fall, naming it Seven1 Sports Group and Entertainment. The two have discussed opening their agency for the past two years, with talks intensifying over the past four months. Both McGrady and O’Neal live in Texas and are involved in youth basketball programs. “We see the lack of information these kids are getting, so we would be doing a disservice to our people if we don’t lend our expertise of what we know and help guide them,” McGrady told The New York Times.
- McGrady and O’Neal were both highly touted prospects coming out of high school, becoming two of the earliest players in NBA history to be drafted straight out of high school. O’Neal entered the NBA in 1996, McGrady followed in 1997. The two became close friends in 1998 after learning they had shared an agent and sneaker brand. “We’re like brothers,” said McGrady.
- McGrady and O’Neal both had star playing careers. O’Neal made six all-star teams with the Indiana Pacers and won the Most Improved Player award in 2002. McGrady was a 7-time all-star, 2-time scoring champion, and a 2018 inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Few former players are agents, and not many are former stars and Hall-of-Famers.
- The sports representation industry is very competitive, with big players like CAA Sports, Klutch Sports, and Roc Nation representing most of the NBA’s stars. O’Neal intends to become a registered NBA agent with the players association in January, and McGrady will likely step away from his broadcasting career with ESPN to focus on the company. O’Neal already has strong connections with young talent due to his Drive Nation sports program. Three potential first-round picks in the 2020 NBA Draft – R.J. Hampton, Tyrese Maxey, and Jahmi’us Ramsey – worked with O’Neal at his program.
McGrady and O’Neal are hopeful they can start recruiting players for the 2021 NBA Draft.
