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Excel Sports Management buys Rep 1 to expand football business

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Illustration of the football, money tongue, and basketball emojis.

Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios

Sports agency Excel Sports Management has acquired rival agency REP 1 Football to expand its footprint on America's biggest sport.

Why it matters: Excel is one of the largest and most powerful sports agencies in the country and the deal makes them an instant contender for football players.

Details: Rep 1 Football will be renamed Excel Football. The agency's co-founder and CEO of football Ryan Tollner and president of football Chase Callahan will serve as co-heads of Excel Football.

Of note: Excel's clients feature top NBA players like two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and golf legend Tiger Woods.

  • Excel isn't completely foreign to football: The agency represents Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and University of Miami's coach Mario Cristobal.
  • Its media clients include NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson and ex-NFL players-turned-broadcasters Matt Ryan and Alex Smith. It has also represented Peyton Manning for his brand deals.
  • Rep 1's client roster includes Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams' receiver Cooper Kupp and former NFL quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
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