Lebron, other stars slam ‘Rich Paul rule’
WASHINGTON An NCAA memo requiring agents to have a college degree may be intended to protect college players, but it has infuriated Lebron James and other NBA stars with some saying it is aimed at the league’s most powerful agent, dubbing it “the Rich Paul rule.”
Paul, who represents Anthony Davis, Ben Simmons, Draymond Green, John Wall and James, among others, has no degree.
“Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop! They BIG MAD and Scared,” James wrote Tuesday in a tweet laden with laughing emojis. “Nothing will stop this movement and culture over here. Sorry! Not sorry.”
Chris Paul, who played two years at Wake Forest before turning pro, tweeted that he “completely” disagrees with the NCAA’S memo.
The memo, which outlines new certification requirements for agents who want to represent players entering the NBA draft, was given to agents Monday and obtained by ESPN. In addition to a bachelor’s degree, certification by the National Basketball Players Association for at least three consecutive years, professional liability insurance and completion of an exam taken in person at the NCAA’S Indianapolis office are required. Prospective agents also must clear a background check.
The memo hits particularly close to home for James, who came to the league out of high school and did not attend college. His partnership with Rich Paul began shortly after James came to the NBA as the No. 1 pick in the 2003 draft. Paul and James left Creative Artists in 2012 with Paul creating Klutch Sports Group, which recently joined United Talent Agency.
According to the new NCAA criteria, Paul wouldn’t be able to represent underclassmen testing the NBA draft waters.
NBA player reaction was swift, especially when James wrote in another tweet: “#Therichpaulrule.” Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges retweeted that with four laughing emojis. Even Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang weighed in, writing, “Instead of putting arbitrary requirements on agents, the NCAA should pay Division I athletes who generate millions in revenue for their schools.”
The memo, according to ESPN, also stipulated that agents agree to co-operate with the NCAA in investigations of rules violations “even if the alleged violations are unrelated to (their) Ncaa-agent certification.”