How Much is Sports Agent Drew Rosenhaus Worth?
Drew Rosenhaus is a giant in the world of the NFL. There are many giants in the NFL, but Drew Rosenhaus is different, he is a giant off the playing field. Flamboyant and outspoken he is a one-of-a-kind, whereas most agents like to stay in the background, Rosenhaus loves the limelight.
Drew is a highly successful sports agent and one of the most successful NFL agents of all time. In his career to date he has negotiated a staggering $7 billion worth of players contracts.
His own personal wealth is estimated to be around $165 million. His company Rosenhaus Sports Representation (RSR) is based out of Miami and is one of the largest sports agency firms in the world. One tactic that Drew Rosenhaus uses to maintain his business profile and grow his client list is to charge less commission than other agents, and this tactic is what’s propelled him to his current status as one of the topmost agents worldwide.
Drew Rosenhaus – the early years
Born in 1966 in New Jersey, in the town of South Orange in Essex County, the family moved to Miami when Drew was four years old. It was here that his love affair with American Football began and Drew quickly became a diehard Miami Dolphins fan.
Drew frequently attended games and fell in love, not just with the sport and in particular the Dolphins, but with the whole razzamatazz and excitement that the games and sport generated. He was enthralled by the whole show.
It was this love affair with the sport and the club that decided his future career choice. Drew quickly became aware that the sporting field was not where his own skills lay, so he set out a life plan to become involved in the sport by other methods.
Drew attended the University of Miami, from where he graduated in 1987. He then studied law at Duke University in North Carolina realizing that a Law degree was essential in order to follow his chosen career path.
Career History
After graduating from Duke University, Drew returned to Miami and at the tender age of twenty-two set himself up as a sports agent. He was the youngest ever registered sports agent, a statistic that still stands today.
Returning to Miami was a clever move by the young Rosenhaus. Having graduated from the University of Miami opened inroads and helped him establish connections with players from the University Football team. Many of whom were destined or hoping to make the jump into the big time of the NFL.
It wasn’t a meteoric or overnight success, but slowly the business grew to become a force to be reckoned with within the Sporting World. During this ‘growth’ phase of the business Drew employed his brother Jason as Vice-President of the growing company.
Drew runs his entire operation from his Miami mansion and clients have claimed that it doesn’t matter what time of day or night you call; Drew will always answer his phone. It was this attention to detail and availability that drew more clients into the RSR ever-growing stable of sports stars.
Another factor that helped him grow his business was his willingness to take clients onto his books that other agents wouldn’t touch. Players that are controversial or edgy are often dropped or bypassed by other agents, but not Drew. Drew would seek these players and more often than not resurrect stalled careers or begin careers that had looked unlikely.
It is this initiative to represent players that other agents have discarded that made him stand out from the crowd. In one instance he signed Willis McGahee, a player who had suffered a knee injury that required reconstructive surgery. In 2003 Rosenhaus negotiated a $16 million contract for the player.
A Controversial Character
Like many flamboyant and outgoing characters operating in sport and showbusiness there always seems to be a hint of controversy that surrounds them. Drew Rosenhaus is no different.
After a suspended employee of SRS came forward with accusations against the company that included fraud and breach of contract, SRS were placed under multiple investigations. Although little information was ever released pending the outcome of these investigations, the suspicion remains that behind closed doors, deals were done, and the matter swept under the carpet.
Amongst the accusations there were whispers that Drew persuaded his clients to invest in a casino that subsequently failed and the mishandling of client’s funds.
Drew has always denied any wrongdoing and no formal charges were brought against him.
Other Ventures
Most sports agents like to keep a low profile, but not Drew. His tendency to keep himself in the spotlight may just be a ruse to keep his business in the public eye or it may just be in his character. For whatever reason it is Drew seems to love being in the spotlight and embraces media attention.
As well as appearing in many television shows, Drew has also published two books – ‘A Shark Never Sleeps: Wheeling and Dealing with the NFL’s Most Ruthless Agent,’ and ‘Next Question: An NFL Super Agent’s Proven Game Plan for Business Success.’
Amongst his media appearances he also made a cameo appearance in the Tom Cruise film ‘Jerry Maguire,’ a film that was said to be loosely inspired by his own life.
Annual Earnings
Drew Rosenhaus earns a percentage of his client’s earnings. Most agents will claim a percentage of between 15%-20%. Drew Rosenhaus claims to peg his percentage at around 3%. It is a strategy that has left him sitting on top of a goldmine.
It is this paltry percentage, that when paired with his ceaseless work in generating as much income as possible for each of his clients, brings him an average annual salary of $30 – $40 million dollars per year.
And with a net worth estimated to be around $165 million Drew Rosenhaus has ensured his own place in the NFL Hall of Fame, without ever playing a pro-game in his life.
