Arn Tellem
Encyclopedia
Arn H. Tellem is a sports agent
notable for his representation of basketball
and baseball
players. He is the principal of WMG Management, a part of the Wasserman Media Group
headed by Casey Wasserman
. Since 2009 he has written a weekly sports column for The Huffington Post
. He has also written for The New York Times
and USA Today
.
in 1976 and from the University of Michigan Law School
in 1979. He began his career as an attorney in the law firm then known as Manatt, Phelps, Rothenberg & Tunney
, where his mentors were noted sports attorneys Alan Rothenberg
and Steve Greenberg (son of baseball legend Hank Greenberg
). Tellem specialized in sports law and commercial litigation and became a partner in the firm. He began representing baseball players and also served six years (1982–1988) as general counsel of the San Diego (later Los Angeles) Clippers
.
Tellem is certified as an agent by the Major League Baseball Players Association
and the National Basketball Players Association
and is a member of the American Bar Association
and the State Bar of California
. He has served as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Southern California School of Law and is frequently invited to lecture on sports law and agency at seminars and law schools throughout the country. Tellem serves on the board of directors of Playing for Peace
and Seeds of Peace
, organizations that bring together kids from conflict regions around the world to promote peace, tolerance and understanding among the youth in those regions.
Tellem is married to Nancy Tellem
, president of CBS Paramount Television Network Entertainment Group
.
and Major League Baseball
players. As head of WMG Management, Tellem oversees the agency's athlete representation businesses and is also involved in the strategic direction of the company.
In 2006, Sports Business Journal named Tellem the Most Influential Agent in Sports and The Sporting News
named Tellem "Most Influential Sports Agent." In 2004 and 2005, Tellem was the only NBA player agent named to The Sporting News "50 Most Influential People in Sports Business” and was recognized as the industry’s top agent by the magazine in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
, Russell Westbrook
, and Danilo Gallinari
. Tellem’s firm negotiated contracts in the 2004, 2005 and 2006 off-seasons that paid their clients over $675 million. During the 2006 off-season, Tellem negotiated a 4-year, $60 million contract for Ben Wallace
with the Chicago Bulls
. In 2005, Tellem negotiated a 5-year, $67.4 million maximum-salary contract for Joe Johnson
with the Atlanta Hawks
in addition to maximum-salary contracts in 2004 for Tracy McGrady
with the Houston Rockets
(3-years, $60.4 million extension) and Pau Gasol
with the Memphis Grizzlies
(6-years, $86.4 million extension). In 2003, he negotiated a 7-year, $126 million maximum-salary contract for Jermaine O'Neal
with the Indiana Pacers
. In 2001, Tellem negotiated a maximum-salary contract for Antawn Jamison
worth $79.2 million. In 2000, Tellem negotiated a 7-year, $93 million deal for Tracy McGrady
with the Orlando Magic
.
in 1997 changed the salary structure in baseball more than any other deal at that time. In 1999, he negotiated a 5-year deal for Belle worth $65 million. Tellem also negotiated a 6-year, $88.5 million contract for Mike Mussina
in 2001. In 2002, he negotiated Jason Giambi
’s free agent deal for 7-years and $120 million, one of only 14 contracts in Major League History valued at over $100 million. In 2005, he negotiated the 4-year $52 million contract for Hideki Matsui
, and in 2007, Tellem negotiated Chase Utley
’s 7 year, $85 million arbitration contract with the Philadelphia Phillies
. Utley’s deal was the largest and longest contract ever given to a second baseman
and the largest in Phillies history. This contract formed the cornerstone of the 2007 off-season in which Tellem and WMG negotiated a record $420 million in baseball salaries.
Sports agent
A sports agent procures and negotiates employment and endorsement contracts for an athlete.In return, the sports agent generally receives between 4 and 10% of the athlete's playing contract, and 10 to 20% of the athlete's endorsement contract, though these figures vary...
notable for his representation of basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
and baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
players. He is the principal of WMG Management, a part of the Wasserman Media Group
Wasserman Media Group
Founded in 2002 by Casey Wasserman, Wasserman Media Group is a global sport and entertainment agency headquartered in Los Angeles. Wasserman primarily operates within the disciplines of athlete representation, property sales, action sports, and corporate and property consulting...
headed by Casey Wasserman
Casey Wasserman
Casey Wasserman is an entertainment executive, sports agent executive and owner of the former Arena League football team, the Los Angeles Avengers. Born Casey Meyer, he is the son of the Los Angeles socialite and philanthropist Lynne Wasserman. Casey's parents were divorced and he took his...
. Since 2009 he has written a weekly sports column for The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post is an American news website and content-aggregating blog founded by Arianna Huffington, Kenneth Lerer, and Jonah Peretti, featuring liberal minded columnists and various news sources. The site offers coverage of politics, theology, media, business, entertainment, living, style,...
. He has also written for The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
and USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
.
Background
Tellem is a native of Philadelphia. He graduated from Haverford CollegeHaverford College
Haverford College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, United States, a suburb of Philadelphia...
in 1976 and from the University of Michigan Law School
University of Michigan Law School
The University of Michigan Law School is the law school of the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. Founded in 1859, the school has an enrollment of about 1,200 students, most of whom are seeking Juris Doctor or Master of Laws degrees, although the school also offers a Doctor of Juridical...
in 1979. He began his career as an attorney in the law firm then known as Manatt, Phelps, Rothenberg & Tunney
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP is a Los Angeles-based law firm of more than 400 attorneys and other professionals founded in 1965. The firm earned revenues of nearly $260 million in 2010...
, where his mentors were noted sports attorneys Alan Rothenberg
Alan Rothenberg
Alan I. Rothenberg is a graduate of the University of Michigan's law school, and an influential administrative figure in the history of North American soccer who is credited with greatly contributing to the growth of the game in the United States, and the namesake of the Alan I...
and Steve Greenberg (son of baseball legend Hank Greenberg
Hank Greenberg
Henry Benjamin "Hank" Greenberg , nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank" or "The Hebrew Hammer," was an American professional baseball player in the 1930s and 1940s. A first baseman primarily for the Detroit Tigers, Greenberg was one of the premier power hitters of his generation...
). Tellem specialized in sports law and commercial litigation and became a partner in the firm. He began representing baseball players and also served six years (1982–1988) as general counsel of the San Diego (later Los Angeles) Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
.
Tellem is certified as an agent by the Major League Baseball Players Association
Major League Baseball Players Association
The Major League Baseball Players Association is the union of professional major-league baseball players.-History of MLBPA:The MLBPA was not the first attempt to unionize baseball players...
and the National Basketball Players Association
National Basketball Players Association
The National Basketball Players Association is a trade association that represents basketball players in the National Basketball Association . It was previously a labor union before dissolving during the 2011 NBA lockout. It was founded in 1954, making it the oldest trade union of the four major...
and is a member of the American Bar Association
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
and the State Bar of California
State Bar of California
The State Bar of California is California's official bar association. It is responsible for managing the admission of lawyers to the practice of law, investigating complaints of professional misconduct, and prescribing appropriate discipline...
. He has served as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Southern California School of Law and is frequently invited to lecture on sports law and agency at seminars and law schools throughout the country. Tellem serves on the board of directors of Playing for Peace
Playing for peace
PeacePlayers International is a non-profit organization which uses the game of basketball to unite and educate children and their communities.- Goals :PeacePlayers International has four main objectives:• Bridge social divides• Develop future leaders...
and Seeds of Peace
Seeds of Peace
Seeds of Peace is a peacebuilding youth organization based in New York City. It was founded in 1993. As its main program, the organization brings youth from areas of conflict to its international camp in Maine. It also provides regional programming to support Seeds of Peace graduates, known as...
, organizations that bring together kids from conflict regions around the world to promote peace, tolerance and understanding among the youth in those regions.
Tellem is married to Nancy Tellem
Nancy Tellem
Nancy Tellem currently serves as Sr. Advisor to the CEO, CBS Corp. She is most recently the President of CBS Network Television Entertainment.-Legal/TV Career:...
, president of CBS Paramount Television Network Entertainment Group
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
.
Career as sports agent
As a player agent, Tellem has negotiated a number of lucrative and high profile contracts in for National Basketball AssociationNational Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
and Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
players. As head of WMG Management, Tellem oversees the agency's athlete representation businesses and is also involved in the strategic direction of the company.
In 2006, Sports Business Journal named Tellem the Most Influential Agent in Sports and The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
named Tellem "Most Influential Sports Agent." In 2004 and 2005, Tellem was the only NBA player agent named to The Sporting News "50 Most Influential People in Sports Business” and was recognized as the industry’s top agent by the magazine in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Basketball
As of the 2006 NBA draft, Tellem's firm had represented the most first round draft picks of any sports marketing and management company for seven straight years. Tellem and his team represented four lottery selections and six first round picks overall. In 2008 Tellem and his team represented six lottery selections including seven of the first fifteen picks, including Derrick RoseDerrick Rose
Derrick Martell Rose is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association ....
, Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA. He was drafted by the Thunder's former incarnation, the Seattle SuperSonics, which relocated from Seattle, Washington to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma...
, and Danilo Gallinari
Danilo Gallinari
Danilo Gallinari is an Italian professional basketball player with Olimpia Milano of the Italian basketball league. He is also under contract with the Denver Nuggets of the NBA, and is expected to return to that team when the 2011 NBA lockout ends. He is 2.08 m in height and 102.1 kg in...
. Tellem’s firm negotiated contracts in the 2004, 2005 and 2006 off-seasons that paid their clients over $675 million. During the 2006 off-season, Tellem negotiated a 4-year, $60 million contract for Ben Wallace
Ben Wallace
Ben Camey Wallace is an American basketball center for the Detroit Pistons of the NBA. A native of Alabama, Wallace attended Cuyahoga Community College and Virginia Union University and signed with the Washington Bullets as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
with the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
. In 2005, Tellem negotiated a 5-year, $67.4 million maximum-salary contract for Joe Johnson
Joe Johnson (basketball)
Joe Marcus Johnson is an American professional basketball player, currently a member of the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA. Johnson stands at 6'7" and 240 lbs ....
with the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
in addition to maximum-salary contracts in 2004 for Tracy McGrady
Tracy McGrady
Tracy Lamar McGrady, Jr., is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Detroit Pistons.Entering the league after graduating from high school, McGrady eventually became a seven-time All-Star. He led the league in scoring in 2003 and 2004. He has also played for the Toronto...
with the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
(3-years, $60.4 million extension) and Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol Sáez is a Spanish professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . He was born to Marisa Sáez and Agustí Gasol, and he spent his childhood in Spain...
with the Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
(6-years, $86.4 million extension). In 2003, he negotiated a 7-year, $126 million maximum-salary contract for Jermaine O'Neal
Jermaine O'Neal
Jermaine Lee O'Neal is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics. The 6 ft 11 in , 255 lb forward-center had a successful high school career and declared his eligibility for the 1996 NBA Draft straight out of high school...
with the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. In 2001, Tellem negotiated a maximum-salary contract for Antawn Jamison
Antawn Jamison
Antawn Cortez Jamison is an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association . He currently plays power forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers and was a member of the USA National Team for the 2006 FIBA World Championships...
worth $79.2 million. In 2000, Tellem negotiated a 7-year, $93 million deal for Tracy McGrady
Tracy McGrady
Tracy Lamar McGrady, Jr., is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Detroit Pistons.Entering the league after graduating from high school, McGrady eventually became a seven-time All-Star. He led the league in scoring in 2003 and 2004. He has also played for the Toronto...
with the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
.
Baseball
Tellem's 5-year $55 million deal for Albert BelleAlbert Belle
Albert Jojuan Belle is a former American Major League Baseball outfielder for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, and Baltimore Orioles...
in 1997 changed the salary structure in baseball more than any other deal at that time. In 1999, he negotiated a 5-year deal for Belle worth $65 million. Tellem also negotiated a 6-year, $88.5 million contract for Mike Mussina
Mike Mussina
Michael Cole Mussina , nicknamed Moose, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played for the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees ....
in 2001. In 2002, he negotiated Jason Giambi
Jason Giambi
Jason Gilbert Giambi is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball.He was the American League MVP in 2000 while with the Oakland Athletics, and is a five-time All-Star who has led the American League in walks four times, in on base percentage...
’s free agent deal for 7-years and $120 million, one of only 14 contracts in Major League History valued at over $100 million. In 2005, he negotiated the 4-year $52 million contract for Hideki Matsui
Hideki Matsui
is a Japanese Major League Baseball designated hitter and outfielder. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed.After playing the first ten seasons of his career for the Yomiuri Giants of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, he played the next seven seasons, from 2003–2009, for the New York...
, and in 2007, Tellem negotiated Chase Utley
Chase Utley
Chase Cameron Utley is a second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball. A native of the Greater Los Angeles area, he was raised in the city of Long Beach. He was a star baseball player at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, before moving on to UCLA...
’s 7 year, $85 million arbitration contract with the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. Utley’s deal was the largest and longest contract ever given to a second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
and the largest in Phillies history. This contract formed the cornerstone of the 2007 off-season in which Tellem and WMG negotiated a record $420 million in baseball salaries.