LOS ANGELES
Wasserman’s Industry-Leading Sports Talent Representation Practice Expands All Facets of Baseball Operations
Global sports, music, and entertainment agency Wasserman has acquired Jet Sports Management and hired Jet Sports founder B.B. Abbott as Executive Vice President and Managing Executive, Baseball, announced today by Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Talent Jason Ranne.
Abbott, as well as baseball agents Andrew Lowenthal, Al Goetz, Hank Sargent, Alex Ott, Tyler Pastornicky and Blaise Salter, and staff members Stephanie Khoury and Ashley Foss, will join Wasserman’s baseball division effective immediately.
“B.B. has run one of the most successful and well-respected baseball representation businesses for over two decades in a highly-competitive space,” said Ranne. “Jet Sports represents some of the biggest names in Major League Baseball, and consistently has strong amateur Draft results. Their approach to representation matches Wasserman’s client-first approach, and our combined deep industry relationships will benefit both our agents and clients in all aspects.”
“I founded Jet Sports Management twenty-three years ago and named it after my mother, Jeanette, as a tribute to her and what I wanted to accomplish in the baseball representation space – to represent the interests of my clients like I would my own family,” said Abbott. “Although we have had numerous offers over the last two decades to acquire our firm, it was not until I met the Wasserman team that I seriously considered this possibility. Wasserman and its employees are the epitome of everything I was looking to do twenty-plus years ago, and this acquisition will provide every present and future client with representation that is unmatched in the baseball industry.”
“B.B. and the group at Jet Sports are an exemplary agency,” said Joel Wolfe, Wasserman EVP and Managing Executive, Baseball. “They do excellent work for their players and have a very balanced practice. They share our values of honesty, integrity, and a player-first mentality. They will be a great complement to the Wasserman Baseball practice.”
All of Jet Sports’ clients, including Byron Buxton, Matt Olson, Chris Sale, Zack Wheeler, Charlie Morton, Corey Kluber, Mike Zunino, Gavin Lux, Logan Gilbert, Mike Minor, Yan Gomes, Clay Holmes, Brad Hand, Ben Gamel, Daniel Hudson, Dane Dunning, Steve Cishek, David Phelps, Austin Gomber, Lane Thomas, and MLB legends Chipper Jones and Brian McCann, will join Wasserman’s first-class global roster of some of the biggest names in baseball, such as Nolan Arenado, Giancarlo Stanton, Yu Darvish, Jose Berrios, DJ LeMahieu, Javy Baez, Kenley Jansen, Kike Hernandez, Edwin Diaz, Nestor Cortes, Trevor Story, and manager Aaron Boone.
Abbott founded Jet Sports in 1999, after serving as an attorney following his graduation from Florida State University and earning his law degree from Stetson University. Before founding his agency, he practiced at Foley & Lardner, which represented, among other clients, Major League Baseball. Abbott and his staff will continue to work throughout the Southeast, Midwest, Mid- Atlantic, and Northeast regions.
Throughout its 20-year history, Wasserman has deliberately and strategically grown its worldwide presence through both targeted acquisitions and organic growth, establishing itself as one of the world’s leading companies in the areas of sports and music talent representation, and brands and properties consultancy.
This acquisition continues Wasserman’s efforts to expand their sport and service offerings in 2022, following the acquisition of Esportif and launch of ‘Wasserman Rugby’ in June, as well as the acquisition of Mullhaupt Management the same month that added a number of top women’s and men’s golfers to Wasserman’s golf division. Earlier this year, Wasserman Music acquired Paradigm’s U.K. live music representation business, expanding its global client roster and European footprint, and in January, leading sports media, broadcast, and consulting agency The Montag Group was acquired, immediately making Wasserman a major player in the sports media realm and bolstering the post-career services offering to all clients.
ABOUT WASSERMAN
Wasserman is a partner to the world’s most iconic sports figures, musical artists, brands. Our purpose is to transform and advance brands, businesses and careers, empowering clients to create culture and impact audiences. Wasserman’s elite talent representation practice encompasses athletes, broadcasters, coaches, sport executives and influencers who play integral roles across every major global sport, spanning six continents.
