Nicole Lynn's legacy as a sports agent has reached new level with Jalen Hurts deal (2024)

In a world where she’s an outsider in multiple ways, Nicole Lynn cannot be ignored.

Lynn was a rising star in the sports agency business four years ago when she became the third woman — and first Black woman — to represent an NFL first-round draft pick when Alabama’s Quinnen Williams was picked third by the New York Jets in 2019.

There’s no “rising” needed in front of Lynn’s name anymore. She’s a force, a history maker as the first Black woman to represent a quarterback in the Super Bowl — Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts.

Lynn has made herself at home in a world that’s not necessarily welcoming. This week, she negotiated the largest contract in total value in NFL history (five years, $255 million, $179.3 million guaranteed) for Hurts, as well as the first no-trade clause in team history as part of the extension to Hurts’ rookie deal. From an up-and-comer in the business to completing the league’s biggest deal in less than a five-year span — that’s major.

Lynn delivered a big payday for one of the NFL’s emerging stars. She tweeted in January that she was looking for a Brinks truck.After news broke of Hurts deal, Lynn followed that tweet with another.Big talk that yielded bigger results months later.

All good. Found one! https://t.co/04rY7z0Sc6

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Meet Nicole Lynn, the NFL Agent Who Negotiated Jalen Hurts Gigantic New ContractWho is Nicole Lynn? Meet the agent who brokered Jalen Hurts' record deal

— Nicole Lynn (@AgentNicoleLynn) April 17, 2023

There’s no denying the NFL is dominated by men — mainly White men — when it comes to power-broking moves made around the league. From coaches to agents and powerful influences in the media, football is a man’s game.

The NFL has been criticized for its lack of sensitivity toward the Black community and women.Colin Kaepernick knelt during the national anthem in protest of police brutality in 2016, and some Black fans are still unhappy he hasn’t played in the league since. Most recently, Brian Flores sued the NFL over its hiring practices for Black coaches.

Stereotypes and misogyny are still prevalent, and there are certainly players who only saw Lynn as “Nicole” and wanted nothing to do with her as an agent. It can be easy for some to accept that this is how things simply are supposed to be. Even though nearly 70 percent of the players in the league are Black, many players still carry some of the same biases when looking to hire an agent.

I’ve heard agents for years complain about this, so when Lynn wins, I smile.

There are men who will hate just because they can. Lynn will always have to prove herself to some, because what could a woman know about sports, right?

That’s why it’s satisfying to see Lynn stack up victories.

“I really saw something in her, and I feel like she’s a grinder — she’s going to go get it,” Hurts told Boardroom in Februarybefore Super Bowl LVII. “Kinda like myself, no one expects you to do much. I feel like we saw eye-to-eye in terms of hunger and determination to succeed, and she’s making history.”

Lynn continues to kick down the door, and it’s great to watch. The NFL needs more women like Lynn to step into spaces with antiquated thinking. It does more for the overall health of the NFL than selling merchandise aimed at women.

Lynn has been with Klutch Sports Group since 2021 and was promoted to president of football operations for the agency founded by Rich Paul, who brought his own seat to the table of the world of NBA agents. Like Lynn, Paul once was an outsider in the sports business world. And like Paul, Lynn now is someone who has become synonymous with some of the biggest names in sports.

It’s always good when the outsiders make a positive impact. They’re inspiring — and Lynn is inspiring.

Additionally, Lynn is a published author who connected with Hurts via Instagram to become his agent. Who needs a business card when a direct message will suffice?

Hurts did what a lot of men wouldn’t have done in sports. He trusted a woman with his career — and it paid off. Lynn’s success is also changing what we think of when we think of a sports agent.

The most famous images of agents in pop culture are men. Tom Cruise was a super agent in the film “Jerry Maguire.” Robert Wuhl played an agent in HBO’s “Arliss.” There’s also Dwayne Johnson’s show “Ballers.”

But Lynn is so good, she’s even changing that. And thanks to 50 Cent, her career is set to become the basis of a television series. If 50 Cent delivers like he’s done with the “Power” series or “BMF,” there are going to be a lot of Lynns popping up to emulate her hustle.

Lynn will be prominent in the NFL Draft this month with another big-time Alabama defender, representing outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr., as well as Texas running back Bijan Robinson.

She’s not going anywhere. That’s good. Knowing there are those in the sports world who might not want her around means every time one of her clients gets paid, it’s a kick to the status quo. And I like that.

(Photo: Marcus Ingram / Getty Images)

Jason Jones is a staff writer for The Athletic, covering Culture. Previously, he spent 16 years at the Sacramento Bee, covering the Sacramento Kings and Oakland Raiders. He's a proud Southern California native and a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley Follow Jason on Twitter @mr_jasonjones