Patrick Whitesell has left WME and Endeavor — and he’s taken WME’s football talent-representation business with him.
On May 12, Whitesell announced the launch of WIN Sports Group, an independently owned football representation firm “built to serve the next generation of athletes, coaches and leaders.” The company was formed out of the former football division of WME Sports and with the same senior team, led by Whitesell. The new firm’s clients include Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson and San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa.
Whitesell, the longtime Hollywood agent, previously co-founded WME and successor company Endeavor, where he served as co-CEO and executive chairman. Whitesell exited Endeavor with the closing of the $25 billion go-private deal with Silver Lake in March. He received a $100 million cash payout under the sale.
Whitesell has taken over WME’s NFL talent representation business to comply with the league’s conflict-of-interest rules. Last year, Silver Lake co-CEO Egon Durban bought a stake in the Las Vegas Raiders; under league rules, an NFL team owner cannot have business ties to an entity that represents players. As such, Whitesell inked a deal to take over that department and turn it into a separate entity. However, WME is still allowed and expected to continue representing retired NFL players and coaches (including Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Shannon Sharpe) for broadcast and content opportunities.
Separately, Whitesell is the founder and CEO of an as-yet-unnamed media operating and investment platform with $250 million in backing from Silver Lake. Earlier this year Whitesell and Silver Lake invested in Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions content banner.
“There’s never been a more important time to help football players think and act like owners,” Whitesell said in a statement. “The ambition we’ve seen reshape music, film, and digital culture is now playing out in sports. WIN is built to help athletes navigate that shift and create lasting value.”
L.A.-based WIN Sports notes that the NFL “is the most financially dominant standalone sports league with some of the most valuable teams in the world.” In the U.S. last year, 45 of the 100 most-watched TV broadcasts were NFL games, including the entire top ten. The league saw nearly 9% revenue distribution growth last year, and the salary cap is projected to continue growing.
In addition to the NFL, according to WIN Sports, college football “is accelerating in influence through major media deals, realignment, and expanded player opportunity.”
