Ndamukong Suh surprisingly fires agent, eyeing Jay-Z?
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) sits on the bench before the game against the New York Giants at Ford Field. Giants beat the Lions 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions defensive tackle made a whopping $51.8 million through his first four seasons in the league on his rookie deal, and huge credit to that deal goes to his agent Roosevelt Barnes, who also put a clause in Suh’s contract that makes his 2015 season a voidable year. Therefore, the 2014 season is technically a contract year for Suh, and the Lions would obviously like to get him locked up under a long-term pact. Suh is a superstar player, and the Lions try to whatever it takes to keep their stars locked up.
The fact that Suh is even in this position to land an even bigger second contract is a testament to his own ability and Barnes’s ability as an agent. However, the Sports Business Journal’s Liz Mullen reports that Suh is parting ways with the agent he signed with in the pre-draft process, and it’s unclear why he’s back on the open market. Barnes did a great job of netting Suh the richest rookie contract in league history, and yet Suh seemingly doesn’t think he’s the best option available to help the DT get an even bigger second contract.
Per multiple media reports and strong speculation from insiders such as CBS Sports’s Jason La Canfora, Ndamukong Suh will most likely hire Roc Nation as his new agency. He’s not the first high-profile athlete to turn to Jay-Z, nor is he the last. However, it’s still perplexing to see that Barnes was given the boot after the success he had and the fact that he’s been Suh’s agent for his entire four-year career up until this point.