Rich Paul-led Klutch Sports agency expands into baseball

The Klutch Sports agency announced Friday that it has acquired the Tidal Sports agency. That’ll bring agent Brodie Scofield and his stable of clients into the growing multi-sport outfit.

Klutch and top agent Rich Paul are already well-known in hoops circles. They represent LeBron James and other NBA superstars. A recent investment from United Talent Agency brought the promise of expansion into other sports, which is obviously now underway.

This acquisition comes at a moment when all professional sports are on hold. While NBA players had already earned most of their salaries for the 2019-20 season, MLB earnings are on hold pending the resumption of play. Under the deal agreed to between the league and union, ballplayers would collectively earn just $170 million (less than one-20th the expected tally) in 2020.

Of course, MLB players do stand to continue accruing service time even if no baseball is played this year. That’s of particular importance for some of the new Klutch clients, who’ll continue to be represented by Scofield — now the agency’s lead baseball representative.

As MLBTR’s database reflects, the baseball unit now housed at Klutch Sports features some rather prominent players. Astros star Alex Bregman is certainly the top client; he’s entering the first year of the extension he inked in the spring of 2019. Another client, Brewers infielder Keston Hiura, seems a potential extension candidate. Mets starter Marcus Stroman is slated to reach free agency in advance of the 2021 campaign. Other big leaguers on the client list include Kevin Gausman, Sean Newcomb, and Blake Swihart. And the Klutch stable now also features one of the game’s top prospects in Jarred Kelenic of the Mariners.