Meet The Most Powerful Sports Agents In 2025

Key Concepts

• Most Powerful Sports Agents (2025)
• Maximum Commissions
• Active Playing Contracts Under Management
• Standard Fee Percentage (MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL)
• Agent Ranking by Sport
• Endorsement Deals (Excluded from Ranking)
• Expanded Role of Sports Agents (Training, Investments, Businesses)

1. Scott Boras: The Reigning King

• Scott Boras, founder and president of Boras Corporation, is ranked as the most powerful sports agent in North American team sports for 2025.
• His commissions are estimated at $244 million on $4.89 billion in active playing contracts under management (as of December 31st, 2024).
• This represents a 28% increase from Forbes' 2022 agent ranking.
• Boras has topped the Forbes list nine times out of ten editions since its debut in 2013.
• His position is largely due to negotiating high-value contracts in MLB, where commission percentages are higher.
• Example: Juan Soto's 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, the largest deal in professional sports history, was negotiated by Boras.

2. The Top Contenders: Schwarz and Paul

• Jeff Schwarz, CEO of Excel Sports Management (NBA agent), ranks second with $113 million in maximum commissions on $2.84 billion in active contracts.
• Rich Paul, founder of Clutch Sports Group (NBA agent), ranks third with $111 million in maximum commissions on $2.77 billion in active contracts.
• The significant growth in Schwarz's (32%) and Paul's (103%) estimated contract totals since 2022 reflects rising player salaries, particularly in the NBA.

3. The Forbes Ranking Methodology

• The Forbes list ranks agents based on the maximum commissions they can earn from active playing contracts.
• The ranking considers the standard fee percentage in each league (e.g., 5% in MLB, 4% in NBA, 3% in NFL, 4% in NHL).
• Endorsement deals are excluded from the ranking because many agencies have separate marketing divisions handling those contracts.
• This exclusion effectively removes agents from individual sports like golf and tennis, where athletes primarily earn through endorsements.
• The 2022 and 2025 rankings are confined to North America, excluding European agents.

4. Agency Representation in the Top 20

• The top 20 agents collectively manage over $32 billion in active deals.
• CAA (Creative Artists Agency) and Wasserman each have four agents in the top 20.
• Excel Sports Management has two agents: Jeff Schwarz and baseball agent Casey Close.

5. Commission Structures and Sport Representation

• MLB agents typically charge 5% commission, compared to 4% in the NBA, 3% in the NFL, and 4% in the NHL.
• The 2025 agent ranking by sport: eight agents from basketball, seven from baseball, three from football, and two from hockey.
• The lower commission percentage in the NFL is due to limitations imposed by the players' union.

6. The Evolving Role of the Sports Agent

• The role of a sports agent is expanding beyond contract negotiation.
• Agents now orchestrate training regimens, cultivate investment opportunities, and nurture athlete-founded businesses.
• They often serve as financial advisors even after athletes retire.
• These expanded services may not directly generate income but are crucial for athlete management and long-term financial well-being.

7. Notable Quotes

• "Scott Boris...is once again the most powerful sports agent in North American team sports with commissions of up to $244 million on an estimated $4.89 billion in active playing contracts under management as of December 31st, 2024." - Forbes
• "No agent is in the same ballpark as Boris, who has 113 clients, but could have matched Schwarz's commissions total with just six of them." - Forbes

8. Data and Statistics

• Juan Soto's contract: 15 years, $765 million.
• Scott Boras' commissions: $244 million.
• Scott Boras' active contracts under management: $4.89 billion.
• Jeff Schwarz's commissions: $113 million.
• Jeff Schwarz's active contracts under management: $2.84 billion.
• Rich Paul's commissions: $111 million.
• Rich Paul's active contracts under management: $2.77 billion.
• Bill Duffy's commissions: $72 million.
• Bill Duffy's active contracts under management: $1.8 billion.
• Total active deals managed by the top 20 agents: over $32 billion.

9. Logical Connections

• The high value of MLB contracts, combined with the higher commission percentage, explains Boras' dominance.
• The growth in NBA player salaries is directly linked to the increased contract totals for agents like Schwarz and Paul.
• The exclusion of endorsement deals from the ranking shifts the focus to agents primarily involved in negotiating playing contracts.
• The expanded role of agents reflects a holistic approach to athlete management, encompassing training, investments, and business ventures.

10. Synthesis/Conclusion

The 2025 Forbes ranking of most powerful sports agents highlights Scott Boras' continued dominance, driven by high-value MLB contracts and a favorable commission structure. While NBA agents like Schwarz and Paul are closing the gap due to rising player salaries, the ranking also underscores the evolving role of agents beyond contract negotiation. The exclusion of endorsement deals emphasizes the importance of playing contract value in determining agent power, while the expanded services offered by agents reflect a more comprehensive approach to athlete management and financial well-being. The full list and further details can be found on Forbes.com, authored by Brett Knight.