Leon Rose might be less famous than sports agent Jerry Maguire, the Tom Cruise character in the popular 1996 movie, but he's emerging as one of the top agents in the country.
Rose, 41, has "shown the money" to nine National Basketball Association stars, stalwarts, and potential stars, including the Miami Heat's Eddie Jones, the 76ers' Aaron McKie, and Cleveland Cavaliers rookie sensation Dajuan Wagner, and he recently became "the answer" to Allen Iverson's need for an agent.
A former trial lawyer and Camden County prosecutor, Rose is a partner in the law firm of Sherman, Silverstein, Kohl, Rose & Podolsky; but his entire practice is now dedicated to sports representation.
Nearly 300 agents are listed in the NBA Players Association Handbook. To get an edge over the rest, Rose has done some globe-trotting.
"Basketball has become a global game," he says. "I think I am somewhat unique in that my business as an agent began to grow as a result of foreign players. About a third of my clients are foreigners." They include Australian Chris Anstey, who played for the Dallas Mavericks, and DeSagana Diop from Senegal, an NBA lottery pick last year who plays for the Cavaliers.
Rose didn't plan to become an agent, but he always has had "a great passion" for the game. He played for Cherry Hill East and Dickinson College, coached at Cherry Hill East and Rutgers-Camden, and now plays in Philadelphia's historic and highly competitive Jewish Basketball League, founded in 1902.
A decade ago, Rose was asked to be the attorney for former La Salle star Lionel Simmons in his negotiations with the Sacramento Kings. His work as an agent developed from that experience.
Rose has a wife and two children, and he finds his job demanding. "There are no boundaries. I receive calls at all hours of the night, mostly from foreign teams or players overseas. The greatest challenge is to be able to be there for your clients all the time." Though Rose has not missed one of his children's birthday parties, he did miss the first birthday party of his only nephew.
Still, he likes the role.
"Being an agent is similar to being a coach. Sometimes, I'm like a parent or big brother. You have the ability to give advice and guide professional athletes in their careers. My goal is to help them recognize all the risks and consider all the relevant factors associated with any important decision. I help try to prepare them for the rest of their lives."
