Excel Huddles up with REP 1 Sports to Launch Excel Football

Like punching the ball into the end zone with a goal line package, it takes a team effort to build upon your lead in the game. With the acquisition of Rep 1 Football, we’ve added new teammates, clients and resources to form Excel Football, which will operate as one of the largest full-service football practices in the industry. Our Excel Football division will now manage draft preparation, contract negotiation, marketing and endorsements, broadcast and speaking opportunities, public relations, social media and post-career planning for NFL talent including Jared Goff, Cooper Kupp, Ben Roethlisberger, James Conner, Dallas Goedert, Dawson Knox and Marcus Mariota.  

Under the leadership of Alan Zucker, Partner and Head of Talent Marketing, we have previously worked with NFL talent to exclusively develop some of the most valuable endorsement portfolios for clients including Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Kirk Cousins, Justin Herbert, Trevor Lawrence, Deebo Samuel and Garrett Wilson. 

“We have been very intentional and selective in growing Excel’s business, with an unwavering focus on being the best when it comes to delivering for clients. REP 1 Football has a reputation as an agency for achieving unparalleled results for draft selections and negotiating record-breaking contracts, which fills out the work we do in football across our agency and firmly establishes Excel as a major player in the most popular sport in America.”

– Jeff Schwartz, Founder & President, Excel Sports Management

REP 1 Sports co-founder and CEO Ryan Tollner and President of Football Chase Callahan will be joining Excel as Co-Heads of Excel Football. Nima Zarrabi will be named Senior Vice President, Excel Football.  

“We have long regarded Excel as the gold standard among sports agencies and have admired their growth across the sports landscape while maintaining their client-first focus. Leadership and culture are what distinguishes Excel within our industry and aligns with our core values. Excel’s connectivity and full suite of services will enrich our offering, and we are honored to combine forces for the benefit of each client.” 

– Ryan Tollner, Co-Head of Excel Football, Excel Sports Management 

While we are officially launching Excel Football as a new division at the agency, America’s most popular sport has been a mainstay in our DNA.  

Building Brands Beyond the Gridiron
Zucker and his team have developed the marketing portfolios for rising stars and the faces you see when strolling through Canton. Working with blue-chip brands like Capital One, Fanatics, IBM and Verizon, the team has secured high-profile endorsement deals and Super Bowl commercials for Excel talent.  

From first-of-its-kind deals like Lawrence becoming the first-ever NFL rookie to officially endorse Gatorade, to brokering deals that feature the Manning Family – Archie, Peyton, Eli and Cooper – like Caeser’s Sportsbook’s national commercial.  

Broadcasting a Wider Net in Football 
Millions of fans tune in to football-related programming that features our Media Talent clients. On Saturday’s, fans are locked in on ESPN’s College Gameday, where Jess Sims pumps up the fans and reports news from on the ground in each host city. On Sunday, you can hear “seven hours of commercial free football” echoing from the iconic voice of Scott Hanson, Matt Ryan calling games for CBS and Alex Smith on Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown.  

Front-Office Audibles  
Through the acquisition of football coaching and broadcasting representation agency, Harlan Sports Management, we launched our Coaching and Executives division. We currently represent some of the most successful GM’s and head coaches in college and pro football including John Harbaugh and Mario Cristobal.  

This is the goal line package we were talking about. Are you ready for some Excel Football? 

Read more on Sportico: Excel Sports Acquires Rep 1, Launches Football Division

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