Lil Wayne has always been a diehard sports fan, but soon he will have a more vested interest in games. According to TMZ, he's launching a sports management company in partnership with PolarisSports, which is affiliated with CAA, and GestiFute. His first client will be soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, whose agent, Jorge Mendes, operates GestiFute. Wayne's company will oversee Ronaldo's branding, marketing, and endorsement deals in the United States. It is worth noting that last year, Forbes reported that Cash Money Records filed a trademark application for the name "Visionaire Sports Group," a move that was seen as the precursor to starting a sports management company.
Apparently, Wayne and Ronaldo are close friends, to the point where Ronaldo made the Prime Minister of Japan throw up the Young Money symbol during a state visit earlier today. "Young Muulah baby!" Wayne said about the picture.
YMCMB with @jpn_pmo what you think @srod7 @liltunechi @euro pic.twitter.com/qKVUgDuDZn
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) July 24, 2014
My homie Christiano Ronaldo got the President of Japan throwing up Young money! He too real 4dat! Young Muulah baby! pic.twitter.com/bKqcGNfIkP
— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) July 24, 2014
Wayne is not the first rapper to enter the sports management world. Jay Z's Roc Nation Sports represents superstars such as Kevin Durant and Robinson Cano, while 50 Cent runs SMS Promotions for professional boxers.
[via TMZ]
UPDATE: Cristiano Ronaldo is now denying reports that Lil Wayne will be managing him. He tweeted earlier today that "the team is - and will be - the same."
There have been news about changes on my management team - it's all false, and I can assure the team is - and will be - the same.
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) July 26, 2014