Joe Urbon
Encyclopedia
Joseph Curtis Urbon is a sports agent
and former professional baseball player. He is a Co-Head of Baseball 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.
and Washington State University
, where he was a pitcher and played the outfield from 1987-1989. He was drafted in 1989 by the Philadelphia Phillies
, as an outfielder. While pursuing a career as a professional baseball player, Urbon completed his education, graduating cum laude from WSU in 1990 with a B.A. in English.
Urbon played minor league baseball for the Batavia Clippers (1987), Spartanburg Phillies (1988), Clearwater Phillies (1988–1989) and Reno Silver Sox
(1989). Urbon tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while playing for the Silver Sox, which prematurely ended his playing career.
, Greg Landry
, and Brodie Van Wagenen
.
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.
In 1992, Urbon joined sports and entertainment agency Octagon (then Advantage International) rising through the ranks before being named Managing Director of Octagon Baseball in 1998. In addition to clients that included First Round Draft picks, Rookie of the Year, All-Stars and future Hall of Famers, Urbon led Octagon’s push into international markets, particularly Japan, where he signed such notable stars as Kazuhisa Ishii
(Los Angeles Dodgers
), Kosuke Fukudome
(Chicago Cubs
) and Hiroki Kuroda
(Dodgers).
Urbon joined CAA Sports in 2008, bringing with him his stable of clients including All-Stars Grady Sizemore
(Cleveland Indians
) and Jason Bay
(New York Mets
) and rising young stars James Loney (Los Angeles Dodgers
) and Denard Span
(Minnesota Twins
), among many others.
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...
and former professional baseball player. He is a Co-Head of Baseball 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.
Background
Urbon is a native of Seattle, Washington, and played baseball at Kentridge High SchoolKentridge High School
Kentridge High School, located on in Kent, Washington, is the second-oldest and second-largest high school by area in the Kent School District...
and Washington State University
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
, where he was a pitcher and played the outfield from 1987-1989. He was drafted in 1989 by 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...
, as an outfielder. While pursuing a career as a professional baseball player, Urbon completed his education, graduating cum laude from WSU in 1990 with a B.A. in English.
Urbon played minor league baseball for the Batavia Clippers (1987), Spartanburg Phillies (1988), Clearwater Phillies (1988–1989) and Reno Silver Sox
Reno Silver Sox
The Reno Silver Sox were a professional baseball team based in Reno, Nevada, in the United States. They were a member of the North Division of the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
(1989). Urbon tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while playing for the Silver Sox, which prematurely ended his playing career.
Sports Agent
Urbon is a Co-Head of CAA Sports’ Baseball division, along with Nez Balelo, Jeff Berry (baseball agent)Jeff Berry (baseball agent)
Jeff Berry is an Attorney and Sports Agent.He is Co-Head of Baseball 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...
, Greg Landry
Greg 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 Brodie Van Wagenen
Brodie Van Wagenen
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,...
.
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.
In 1992, Urbon joined sports and entertainment agency Octagon (then Advantage International) rising through the ranks before being named Managing Director of Octagon Baseball in 1998. In addition to clients that included First Round Draft picks, Rookie of the Year, All-Stars and future Hall of Famers, Urbon led Octagon’s push into international markets, particularly Japan, where he signed such notable stars as Kazuhisa Ishii
Kazuhisa Ishii
Kazuhisa Ishii is a Japanese former Major League Baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Saitama Seibu Lions....
(Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
), Kosuke Fukudome
Kosuke Fukudome
is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder.Prior to arriving in the United States, Fukudome played nine seasons for the Chunichi Dragons of the Japanese Central League...
(Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
) and Hiroki Kuroda
Hiroki Kuroda
is a professional baseball player from Osaka, Japan who is currently a free agent. He is a starting pitcher, who most recently pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers .-Early days:...
(Dodgers).
Urbon joined CAA Sports in 2008, bringing with him his stable of clients including All-Stars Grady Sizemore
Grady Sizemore
Gradius "Grady" Sizemore III is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
(Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
) and Jason Bay
Jason Bay
Jason Raymond Bay is a Canadian professional baseball player. An outfielder, he currently plays for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball...
(New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
) and rising young stars James Loney (Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
) and Denard Span
Denard Span
Keiunta Denard Span is an American Major League Baseball outfielder for the Minnesota Twins. He was selected by the Twins with the 20th overall pick in the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft from Tampa Catholic High School...
(Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
), among many others.
Personal
Urbon resides with his wife, Katherine, and three young children in Manhattan Beach, CA.External links
- CAA Sports
- Sox source: Bay still prime target
- Gammons: How Cabrera, Sizemore grew up
- What happened with Jason Bay and the Red Sox
- In Defense of Jason Bay's Defense
- Cleveland locks up another youngster in Sizemore
- Mill Creek's Travis Snider grows up fast in life and baseball
- Ballplayer turned sports agent Joe Urbon covers all the bases for his talented clients.
- Agent draws on NW roots