Brodie Van Wagenen
Encyclopedia
Brodie Van Wagenen is a Sports Agent and a Co-Head of the baseball division at CAA Sports.
CAA Sports is a division of Creative Artists Agency, an entertainment and sports agency, and represents more than 650 of the world's best athletes in baseball, football, hockey, basketball, soccer, tennis, and golf, in addition to icons in individual sports, Olympians, coaches, broadcasters, and other sports personalities.
before receiving a Baseball scholarship to Stanford University
. He was the starting Right Fielder
for Stanford in 1993 and 1994 and graduated with a degree in Communications in 1996.
Van Wagenen began his career in the sports industry working for the Chicago Bulls
Championship team in 1996-1997. From 1999 to 2001, Van Wagenen served as Director of Business Development for digital sports pioneer Broadband Sports/Athlete Direct. Van Wagenen is a certified player agent with the Major League Baseball Players Association
.
and Joe Urbon
. Van Wagenen is based in New York City and, in addition to representing many of the best MLB players, he oversees the Contracts, Marketing, and Corporate Administration for the Baseball division. CAA Sports' clients have participated in 53 All-Star games; won 14 Silver Slugger Awards; 11 Gold Gloves; four Rookie of the Year Awards; two Cy Young Awards; and a League MVP Trophy. CAA Sports represents 54 first round draft selections and has negotiated more $100 million in amateur draft signing bonuses.
Prior to joining CAA, Van Wagenen served as Vice President of IMG Baseball (2001–2006).
Van Wagenen represents such players as Ryan Zimmerman
, Carlos Quentin
, Jeremy Guthrie
and John Lannan
. Former Nationals general manager Jim Bowden
called Van Wagenen "one of the most respected baseball agents in the industry." Bowden, writing for ESPN.com, described Van Wagenen as "Stanford grad who is known for his analytics, creativity and presentation skills which are considered the best in the business. His people skills are off the charts and he can be as convincing as he is genuine."
Zimmerman was the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft, and then-Nationals general manager Bowden later wrote that "The shrewd business decision by Zimmerman, as advised by CAA, to sign immediately, and not wait to maximize his potential bonus at the Aug. 15 deadline, paid off."
In 2009, Van Wagenen negotiated a five-year, $45 million contract for Zimmerman with the Washington Nationals
. In 2007, Van Wagenen advised high school pitcher Jack McGeary, who negotiated a unique deal after being drafted by the Nationals that got him a $1.8 million signing bonus and permission to attend Stanford. Guthrie left his previous agent in 2008 to be represented by Van Wagenen.
In 2011, Van Wagenen negotiated a five-year major-league contract with the Seattle Mariners
for draft pick Danny Hultzen
, and the guaranteed value of $8.6 million was the largest of the 2011 draft and fifth-highest all-time.
. Van Wagenen's father, Jeff Van Wagenen, played professional golf on the European Seniors Tour
(1998–2008). Van Wagenen served on the Board of Directors for Stanford University's Buck/Cardinal Club from 1998-2004.
CAA Sports is a division of Creative Artists Agency, an entertainment and sports agency, and represents more than 650 of the world's best athletes in baseball, football, hockey, basketball, soccer, tennis, and golf, in addition to icons in individual sports, Olympians, coaches, broadcasters, and other sports personalities.
Background
Van Wagenen grew up in Southern California, where he attended Crespi Carmelite High SchoolCrespi Carmelite High School
Crespi Carmelite High School, called Crespi, is a private, Roman Catholic, four-year college preparatory all-male high school located in Encino, California in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. It is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles...
before receiving a Baseball scholarship to Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
. He was the starting Right Fielder
Right fielder
A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
for Stanford in 1993 and 1994 and graduated with a degree in Communications in 1996.
Van Wagenen began his career in the sports industry working for 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...
Championship team in 1996-1997. From 1999 to 2001, Van Wagenen served as Director of Business Development for digital sports pioneer Broadband Sports/Athlete Direct. Van Wagenen is a certified player agent with 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...
.
Sports agent
Van Wagenen is one of the Co-Heads of CAA Sports' Baseball division, along with Nez Balelo, Jeff Berry, Greg LandryGreg Landry
Gregory Paul Landry is a former American football player and coach who played quarterback in the National Football League from 1968 to 1981 and again in 1984...
and Joe Urbon
Joe Urbon
Joseph Curtis Urbon is a sports agent and former professional baseball player. He is a Co-Head of Baseball at CAA Sports...
. Van Wagenen is based in New York City and, in addition to representing many of the best MLB players, he oversees the Contracts, Marketing, and Corporate Administration for the Baseball division. CAA Sports' clients have participated in 53 All-Star games; won 14 Silver Slugger Awards; 11 Gold Gloves; four Rookie of the Year Awards; two Cy Young Awards; and a League MVP Trophy. CAA Sports represents 54 first round draft selections and has negotiated more $100 million in amateur draft signing bonuses.
Prior to joining CAA, Van Wagenen served as Vice President of IMG Baseball (2001–2006).
Van Wagenen represents such players as Ryan Zimmerman
Ryan Zimmerman
Ryan Wallace Zimmerman is a Major League Baseball third baseman with the Washington Nationals. A 6-foot 3-inch player from the University of Virginia and Kellam High School, Zimmerman has been a member of the Nationals since his debut on September 1, 2005...
, Carlos Quentin
Carlos Quentin
Carlos Josè Quentin is an American outfielder who plays for the Chicago White Sox. In 2008 and in 2011, Quentin was selected as an All-Star.-Early career:...
, Jeremy Guthrie
Jeremy Guthrie
Jeremy Shane Guthrie is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles.-Early life and education:...
and John Lannan
John Lannan
John Edward Lannan is a left-handed starting pitcher in the Washington Nationals organization....
. Former Nationals general manager Jim Bowden
Jim Bowden
-Early life and career:Bowden was born in Boston, MA and raised in Weston, Massachusetts and Boothbay Harbor, ME. He graduated from Rollins College in 1983 with a B.A. degree in Communications and Business Administration. He was the Sports Director at the College radio station as well doing the...
called Van Wagenen "one of the most respected baseball agents in the industry." Bowden, writing for ESPN.com, described Van Wagenen as "Stanford grad who is known for his analytics, creativity and presentation skills which are considered the best in the business. His people skills are off the charts and he can be as convincing as he is genuine."
Zimmerman was the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft, and then-Nationals general manager Bowden later wrote that "The shrewd business decision by Zimmerman, as advised by CAA, to sign immediately, and not wait to maximize his potential bonus at the Aug. 15 deadline, paid off."
In 2009, Van Wagenen negotiated a five-year, $45 million contract for Zimmerman with the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. In 2007, Van Wagenen advised high school pitcher Jack McGeary, who negotiated a unique deal after being drafted by the Nationals that got him a $1.8 million signing bonus and permission to attend Stanford. Guthrie left his previous agent in 2008 to be represented by Van Wagenen.
In 2011, Van Wagenen negotiated a five-year major-league contract with the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
for draft pick Danny Hultzen
Danny Hultzen
Daniel Alexander Hultzen is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Seattle Mariners organization. Hultzen was drafted and selected second overall by the Seattle Mariners in the 2011 MLB draft....
, and the guaranteed value of $8.6 million was the largest of the 2011 draft and fifth-highest all-time.
Personal
Van Wagenen and his wife Molly, also a graduate and former athlete at Stanford University, have three children. Van Wagenen's father-in-law is astronaut Neil ArmstrongNeil Armstrong
Neil Alden Armstrong is an American former astronaut, test pilot, aerospace engineer, university professor, United States Naval Aviator, and the first person to set foot upon the Moon....
. Van Wagenen's father, Jeff Van Wagenen, played professional golf on the European Seniors Tour
European Seniors Tour
The European Seniors Tour is a professional tour for male golfers aged 50 and over run by the PGA European Tour.The Tour was founded in 1992. In 2008 it had a total prize fund of €7,729,284, so it is much further behind the U.S.-based Champions Tour in relative prize money than the main European...
(1998–2008). Van Wagenen served on the Board of Directors for Stanford University's Buck/Cardinal Club from 1998-2004.