Influence 125 highlights the most influential sports business figures of the past quarter-century. See the list.
Rich Paul is one of a kind. From selling jerseys out of the trunk of his car in Cleveland to representing LeBron James and founding Klutch Sports, Paul has built one of the most culturally relevant agencies in sports. Klutch’s rise in the mid-2010s disrupted the structure of NBA free agency and reshaped how players use media to control their narratives. With recent expansion into football and baseball, as well as brand consulting, broadcast and media representation, and now as a part of UTA, Klutch and Paul firmly stand at the intersection of culture, sports and commerce.
More from SBJ archives
- SBJ On Stage: Rich Paul and Zach Leonsis one-on-one (2025)
- Rich Paul’s Klutch Athletics releases first ad campaign after company’s third year (2025)
- United Talent Agency Partners With Rich Paul To Create Sports Division (2019)
- Klutch Sports Group’s Rich Paul Stands Out After Tumultuous NBA Summer (2014)
- Rich Paul Gaining Mainstream Acceptance In Agency Industry With Growth Of Klutch (2013)
