LeBron James’ Agent Rich Paul Makes Strong Statement on Friday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Jun 6, 2025 1:42 PM ET

On Friday, MasterClass posted an Instagram video announcing that Rich Paul, the renowned sports agent and founder of Klutch Sports Group, will debut a course on the platform on June 9.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Paul founded Klutch Sports Group in 2012 after departing Creative Artists Agency (CAA) alongside his longtime friend and client, LeBron James.

Initially, Paul met James in 2002 at the Akron-Canton Airport after impressing the future NBA star with a vintage Warren Moon throwback jersey.

The two soon became friends, and Paul began advising James concerning his financial and endorsement decisions around the 2003 NBA draft.

In the clip, Paul is asked, “Who is my biggest competition?” to which he confidently replies, "There is none."

Over the past decade, Paul has emerged as one of the most influential figures in sports management.

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Since 2012, Klutch Sports has grown to represent a roster of high-profile NBA talents, including Anthony Davis, Draymond Green, Lonzo Ball and Bronny James, among others.

In 2019, Sports Illustrated featured Paul on its cover as "The King Maker," and United Talent Agency (UTA) invested strategically in Klutch Sports, appointing Paul as co-head of UTA’s sports division.

The following year, Paul launched Klutch Conversations to promote financial literacy among young people, joined UTA’s board of directors and was named GQ’s "Power Broker of the Year."

By 2022, Forbes ranked Paul fourth on its "World’s Most Powerful Sports Agents" list.

MasterClass is an online education platform known for providing courses from leading figures in various fields, now including the sports world with Paul.

The MasterClass appearance scheduled for June 9 is expected to offer students insight into the business strategies that have shaped Paul's career.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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