Mike Conley Sr. thinks that Greg Oden is going pro after this season. How else would you explain his decision to start a sports agency called Mac Management Group? Conley Sr. has known Oden since the sixth grade and coached him in summer basketball. In addition to Oden, Conley Sr. also coached Josh McRoberts of Duke and Buckeyes Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook.
I’m not being presumptuous at all,” Conley Sr. said. “Getting into this business is not just for those individuals. I’m competitive. I want to be the best at what I do, and that’s not going to stop when I enter the sports management business.
“Hopefully I can attract and share a vision with some of the athletes I know, but also with others and move their careers forward.
Translation: I’ve known Oden all his life. If I can get him to sign with me, then I have a golden goose.
Here’s the best part:
I’ve negotiated a lot of different things. Almost everything in life is negotiated,” Conley Sr. said. “You have to know what it is you’re negotiating. You have to know when something’s a good deal. Outside of being educated about the process, the same principles exist, and that’s putting both parties in a win-win situation.
Hey listen, Mike, just because you negotiated down the price of your plasma TV at Best Buy doesn’t mean you can go up against the sharks in the NBA front offices. LeBron James fired a real agent and hired three friends and they turned out to be bumbling idiots.
Run Greg Run.
Links:
[Indy Star]: Conley Sr. starting sports representation business
3 replies on “Greg Oden’s summer league coach conveniently decides to start sports agency”
remember Master P? — Ricky Williams’ contract has got to be one of the worst in history (from a player’s perspective; I’m sure Mike Ditka loved it).
Anyway, NBA rookie contracts are boilerplate, so Mike Conley Sr. has a little breathing room to learn on the job.
boilerplate — you’re right. I think the scale means Oden will be making 3-4M if he comes out this year and he’s a top 2 pick. (which he will be of course). The problem is the endorsement deals. Goodwin (?) was the guy who got LeBron his insane shoe deal from Nike. Oden is a big guy so there isn’t gonna be a huge shoe deal but there will be other endorsements. Mike Conley Sr better hire some good help.
Hmm — You’re probably right, that he will go pro next season. I hope so, good luck Greg!!