The NFL players union is investigating the recruitment of Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith by Jay-Z’s new agency, according to a report by NFL.com.
The NFL Players Association plans to send a letter of inquiry to Roc Nation Sports agent Kim Miale to find out more information about Jay-Z’s actual involvement in trying to get Smith on board. This week, the new Gang Green signal-caller announced that Roc Nation would be his new representative after he fired his agent Jeff Nalley following the NFL Draft.
The newly instituted “runner rule” prohibits agents from having associates who aren’t NFLPA certified agents in attendance for recruiting meets. Jay-Z is not currently certified and Smith’s advisor John Thornton was quoted by CBS Sports this week saying, “I was in those meetings and Jay-Z connected with [Smith] on many levels.” Thornton, a former NFL defensive tackle, later tweeted that he was misquoted.
Smith himself actually posted a photo of himself and Jay-Z on Instagram during his recruiting process.
Miale is technically Smith’s new agent. The NFLPA previously sent a letter of inquiry to CAA’s Tom Condon after Condon signed Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz, who is using Roc Nation Sports as his marketing representative. Roc Nation and CAA are partners in other sports. In football, that kind of partnership is difficult because of the “runner rule.” The union cleared Condon of any wrongdoing in that investigation.