The Matchroom chairman introduced the brand new enterprise this week as a talent management company designed to represent athletes and entertainers across several industries. The announcement comes as recent promoters and enormous investment groups are entering boxing, including Zuffa’s recent move into the game, which has drawn attention across the industry.
Hearn rejected the suggestion that the timing of the agency was connected to those developments, saying the concept had already been in development.
“Those conversations have been going for ages mainly around football,” Hearn said.
Matchroom Talent Agency becomes a part of the corporate’s existing operations in boxing, darts, and snooker, but the brand new division focuses on representation moderately than event promotion. Hearn described it as a management operation designed to help clients with industrial opportunities and public exposure.
“It’s a management company… like all sports agency or athlete representation company that’s representing fighters, players,” Hearn said.
The agency shouldn’t be limited to skilled athletes. Hearn said the plan is to work with people from outside sport as well, including figures in entertainment.
“We’re not limited to sport… for those who’re an actor, for those who’re a musician, we would like to work with you,” he said.
Matchroom has spent a long time promoting events across several sports, however the creation of a talent agency moves the corporate closer to the industrial side of athletes’ careers. Hearn said the move reflects Matchroom’s experience working with broadcasters, sponsors, and media partners across multiple sports and international events.
The corporate expects to announce additional signings because the agency begins operating. Hearn said the long-term goal is to represent talent across sport, entertainment, and media while continuing Matchroom’s work promoting events in boxing and other sports all over the world.
