NEWS AND EVENTS

YOU FIRST ENTERS FORBES LIST TOP 10

Forbes values the agency’s strong presence in the NBA through its subsidiary Tandem Sports + Entertainment

Madrid, Nov. 18, 2022 — Forbes has published its list of the world’s most valuable sports talent management agencies in 2022. You First has entered the Top 10 for the first time – occupying the 10th position of the prestigious ranking.

Forbes compiles the list according to the estimated value and duration of the playing and non-playing contracts negotiated by the agencies for their professional athletes.

The business magazine refers to You First’s current portfolio of more than 860 talents and highlights Desmond Bane, Davide Calabria, Ja Morant and Alexia Putellas among its clients.

In addition, Forbes highlights You First as a successful example of international expansion, underlining that the Spanish-born agency, which was established in 2002 in Madrid and currently operates through 14 offices in 21 countries, has a prominent presence in the NBA, especially since its strategic alliance in 2020 with Tandem Sports + Entertainment. In fact, You First is the only European agency not only in the Top 10, but in the Top 20 of Forbes’ 2022 list.

The magazine points out that the sector’s major agencies currently stand out for offering their talents a broad portfolio of 360º services, as is the case of You First, which already has divisions for brand services, data & insights, audiovisual production, digital and event organisation. In recent years, the group has strengthened its specialisations by implementing innovative tools that allow it to build the personal brand of its talents beyond the sporting arena.

Forbes includes quotes by You First CEO Juan Aísa.

“Size becomes quite important, because in order to compete, you need a better brand, you need more international resources, you need, for me most importantly, more services because there’s an arms race to service deeper,” Aísa said.

Forbes began the annual publication of its list of the best global sports talent management agencies in 2013, with You First entering for the first time in 2018. That year, the Spanish-based agency appeared in 20th place, whereas in 2020 it was ranked 19th.

ABOUT TANDEM SPORTS + ENTERTAINMENT

Tandem, a You First company, is a leading full-service athlete and entertainment representation agency. The agency was honored on Forbes’ list of the World’s Most Valuable Sports Agencies and has been honored by the Washington Business Journal as one of the area’s “Best Places to Work.” Tandem’s roster of clients includes NBA All-Stars Ja Morant and Jarrett Allen, NBA Rising Star Desmond Bane, and Hall of Famers Ray Allen, Tamika Catchings, Tim Duncan and Grant Hill.

ABOUT YOU FIRST

You First is a global holding company for talent management, brand services and content marketing agencies in the sports and entertainment industry. Founded in 2002, it operates in 14 countries through 21 offices, based on a powerful combination of global reach and strong local market knowledge.   

More than 1,000 sports and entertainment talents rely on You First. The agency manages the careers of more than 400 basketball players, 300 football players, 70 esports talents and more than 100 talents from other sports and entertainment disciplines, with a global reach of more than 150 million followers on social media. Its current client portfolio includes NBA and top European league players such as Ja Morant, Serge Ibaka and Walter Tavares, among others; footballers such as Gerard Moreno, Alexia Putellas and Fabián Ruiz; talent from other sports disciplines such as Ona Carbonell and Damián Quintero; esports talent such as Kapo013, as well as other lifestyle talent and content creators.  

You First also offers brand services and innovative solutions related to digital assets, consulting, sponsorship, creative, events, content production and influencer marketing to more than 160 companies.  

You First is made up of professionals with a deep team spirit, committed to conquering daily challenges, and loyal to their clients’ interests.