Legendary Sports Agent Leigh Steinberg Launches New Sports And Entertainment Company

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Oct. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Leigh Steinberg, the trailblazing sports agent known for record-setting athletic contracts, groundbreaking charitable works and his role in inspiring the film "Jerry Maguire," today announced the formation of Steinberg Sports & Entertainment, with sights set on representing present and future NFL, NBA and MLB players and coaches, as well as entertainers and other notable public figures.

The launch of the full-service sports and entertainment firm marks the highly-anticipated return of Steinberg, 64, to the industry he transformed for more than three decades, merging the worlds of sports, media, entertainment, branding and cause-related marketing, and extending the influence of athletes and other celebrities to unprecedented global heights.

"Our goal with this organization is to change the world again," said Steinberg, who took a personal hiatus from his career in 2007. "We have done it before, and it's still the core of our mission – to be agents of change to improve people's lives and use the power of sports, branding and media to make the world a better place."

Having represented a preeminent client roster that included superstars Troy Aikman, Steve Young, Warren Moon, Ben Roethlisberger, CC Sabathia, Oscar de la Hoya and dozens more, Steinberg has negotiated more than $2 billion in player contracts, and helped to generate over $600 million for local and national charities. He has represented the #1 pick in the NFL draft a record eight times, plus more than 60 first round selections in total.  Seven former clients are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"Leigh is without a doubt one of the best in the profession," said Earl Campbell, a former NFL MVP and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. "There is no doubt in my mind that the man who transcended his profession will dust off his boots and do some special things."

Steinberg walked away from the agency world after a much-publicized struggle with alcoholism. Now three years sober with the help of a twelve-step program, his journey back to health and sobriety has included a focus on writing, teaching, and devoting time to others in recovery.  Leigh has served as an adjunct professor of sports law at the University of California, Irvine and Fowler School of Law at Chapman University in Orange County, Calif.  He is a contributing writer to Yahoo!, Forbes and The Huffington Post on issues related to professional sports, and has authored an autobiography, The Agent, scheduled for publication in early 2014.

Steinberg Sports & Entertainment, backed by a Texas-based investment group, will encompass athlete and entertainment client representation, sports and entertainment marketing, media consulting and special projects. The agency will also champion causes ranging from concussion prevention to racial inequality and environmental sustainability. Steinberg's pioneering leadership in these and other areas have earned him commendations from Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton as well as the U.S. Congress.

"Throughout my career, I have been driven by two basic values I learned from my dad," said Steinberg. "One is to treasure relationships – especially family – and the second is to try to make a positive difference and help others, something that's as rewarding for us as it is for the clients and interests we represent."

The new company is currently building a board of advisors that will include former NFL players and Hall of Famers, who will help guide the company's growth strategies as it prepares to represent members of the 2014 NFL draft class. Steinberg also intends to reinstitute his famous Super Bowl Party in New York City next February, an A-list event which in previous years has been broadcast live to U.S. troops overseas and used as a platform for advocacy benefiting a variety of philanthropic causes.

About Leigh Steinberg
Leigh Steinberg founded his sports law practice in 1975 when he negotiated a then-record contract for NFL first overall draft pick Steve Bartkowski. Since then, Steinberg has continuously represented the top players in the NFL, MLB, and NBA. He has been named Man of the Year over a dozen times by organizations that include the March of Dimes, Cedars Sinai, the Southern California Boy Scouts, the Orange County and Los Angeles Human Relations Commissions and the Orange County and Los Angeles divisions of the Anti-Defamation League. An accomplished speaker, Steinberg has traveled the world addressing topics ranging from sports and entertainment, to political and economic issues. He is a blogger for Forbes and the Huffington Post, and is the author of the 1998 best-seller, Winning with Integrity. Steinberg's autobiography, The Agent, co-authored by Michael Arkush, is set for release in early 2014.

For information about Steinberg Sports & Entertainment, visit www.steinbergsports.com.

SOURCE Steinberg Sports & Entertainment