CAA’s International Sports Bet & The Talent Murky Middle

jim nantz tony romo
Part of the negotiation between the leagues and networks is predicated on ensuring that top talent truly enhances the product: CBS needs Romo and Nantz to placate the NFL. Photo: Photo: Mary Kouw/CBS
John Ourand
October 14, 2024

When sports agent Matt Kramer first got into the representation business, back around 2010, the market for on-air talent was primed to explode. Fox was on the cusp of launching FS1, NBC was about to gain control of Comcast’s national sports channel that would be rendered NBCSN, and CBS Sports had just taken control of an entity that was to become CBS Sports Network. Media executives clamored for people who could help them stand out, creating wild bidding wars that pushed salaries to unfathomable heights. Cable was still growing, new channels were launching, and genuine competition was setting in—all of which helped to line the pockets of sports TV talent and, of course, their agents.