Business Spotlight: Philly's BAC Sports Management
Introducing the Millennial Gazette series, “Businesses Spotlight,” details a growing, thriving sports agency known as, “BAC Sports Management.” A devoted father and husband, involved in a self-proclaimed “love affair with football” are just a couple of ways to describe BAC Sports Management’s Founder & President William “Billy” Baldini, Esq. Mr. Baldini, a product of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, and grew up as the son for one of the great broadcast pioneers in Philadelphia, William Baldini Sr.
(Photo Credit: Baldini Family/Facebook)
Early in his career, Baldini made tireless and ambitious effort to break into the sports agency industry. He quickly gained representation experience with athletes, strong relationships with sports execs & coaches, and learned from veteran agents with almost a century of experience. BAC Sports Management has represented a variety of athletes ranging from 1st round draft picks to international players.
Soon after being licensed by the NFLPA, Baldini made a name for himself - by gaining a reputation as the passionate agent who never gives up on his players. Baldini is also known for prioritizing athletes with strong character & work-ethic above big name talent that may lack those qualities, and having (Pan eye to spot the diamonds in the rough. Baldini’s football acumen allows him
(Photo Credit: BAC Sports Management)
A disproportionate number of Baldini’s hunches have been justified over the years regarding many of his players who flew under the radar … Pat Boyle (Detroit Lions), Greg Van Roten (GB Packers and Carolina Panthers), Mohammed Seisay (Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks), Ka’Lial Glaud (Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys), Brandon Cottom (Seattle Seahawks), Justin Renfrow (Seattle Seahawks), Ryan White (Atlanta Falcons) and he struck gold on Rutgers’ Marcus Cooper (Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears). Baldini likes to refer to his clients as “My Guys.” His requirements? Love and respect for the game, intelligence, the desire to succeed, and to always strive to be not only the best players, but also the hardest worker on their teams. However, what meaningfully helps BAC Sports Management stand apart from other agencies is that his clients “become like family to Baldini, and he vows to protect and work for them as such.”
(Photo Credit: Greg Van Rooten (@GVR64)/Twitter)
The family approach is not as popular of a business model in the sports agency world, as you would think. It is discussed, but not practiced. Baldini keeps his client numbers low and attention level high. As Baldini says, “if you are one individual representing 50 players, someone is not getting the representative they signed up for.” Arguably, the most inspiring story of his journey as a Sports Agent is his representation of current Chicago Bears Cornerback Marcus Cooper. An in-depth article by Matt Conner of “SB Nation Arrow Head Pride” tells the story of Baldini’s journey and his relationship with Marcus Cooper (see the link below). A story Baldini thought was about Marcus Cooper, became a published conversation about the agent’s relationship with his players.
The story encapsulates what makes Mr. Baldini a thoughtful, and talented sports agent and his interpersonal approach with players enabled him to see what others may have missed about Marcus Cooper. And that is? An impressive, overlooked talent who is currently emerging as an NFL star. Baldini realized his talent, athleticism, potential and will to succeed…Baldini began to learn not only about the player, but the man himself. Cooper went from being a player Baldini represents to a younger brother and trusted friend.
(Photo Credit: Chicago Bears/ChicagoBears.com)
If the impact Mr. Baldini’s familial approach towards his clients is still not evident, look no further than a story about Marcus Cooper’s mother - Lisa Cooper. Baldini asked Mrs. Cooper if she would speak to a prospective client’s mother. She agreed, and here is how the rest of the conversation unfolded:
After talking with the mother, Lisa Cooper called Baldini and said, “I think that went pretty well… I told her I look at you as my other son.”
Baldini, stunned by her comment, replied back saying, “Momma Coop! That’s too much of an oversell…she’ll think you’re lying!” And Lisa Cooper’s response to this? “I don’t care what she believes…that’s how I feel, so that’s what I said!”
Baldini's importance of family as a staple of BAC Sports Management certainly has its dividends. MastersInSportsAdministration.com ranked BAC Sports Management as #18 within the top 100 sports agencies, and it will inevitably rise through the ranks in the coming years… but most important to Baldini is that he has created something special, for which he is passionate, and he can look to and say, “I did it my way… the right way.” Be sure to keep your eye on this prosperous sports organization.
Want to get in touch with BAC Sports Management?
Sports Agency Web site: www.bacsport.com
To Follow the Official BAC Sports Management FB Page:
https://www.facebook.com/BAC-Sports-Management-179814275375865/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
To Read the original article by Matt Connor:
https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2013/11/20/5125364/marcus-cooper-agent-story