Harbaugh hires Don Yee as agent per Schefter [Ed: Months ago, this was a news drop]

Submitted by SalvatoreQuattro on December 31st, 2023 at 12:35 AM

https://x.com/adamschefter/status/1741331044647731526?s=61

[Ed: As reporters quickly pointed out, Harbaugh enlisted Yee months ago. The reason you're hearing about it on the eve of the Playoff is Pete Thamel thought it could hurt Michigan to drop a Harbaugh-NFL rumor today. It's embarrassing for Schefter that he let his name be attached to it. --Seth]

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Amazinblu

December 31st, 2023 at 11:56 AM ^

Has anyone here purchased a home without an attorney reviewing the contract / purchase?

I can see if you're buying a car - the agreement is "what it is".   But, if you're talking a multi-million dollar agreement, it does seem that an attorney's perspective would be a smart thing to do.

Then again - these writers / commenters - might not be that smart.

Joined: 01/22/2010

MGoPoints: 42922

Bluesince89

December 31st, 2023 at 12:21 PM ^

In Michigan, you don't need an attorney to purchase a home and unless it's a multi-million dollar home, I don't think I've heard of an attorney being used unless there was some really thorny lien issue. But I did just learn that you must have an attorney in Illinois to purchase a home. Interesting!

In any event, I don't make much of this. Harbaugh didn't have an agent before. He had a labor and employment attorney at a mega NYC law firm that happened to specialize in sports contracts negotiations. IDK what arrangement Harbaugh had with him in terms of payments, but Harbaugh was absolutely represented and for a very long time. 

Representing Mr. Harbaugh in the negotiations: Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP's Jeffrey S. Klein, who heads the firm's employment-litigation group. Alongside his typical big-ticket corporate representations, Mr. Klein has developed an interesting niche handling thorny employment negotiations for athletes and other sports figures. He helped Joe Torre move from the New York Yankees to the Los Angeles Dodgers before the 2008 season, for example.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-LB-50224

As I understand it, Klein left Weil and joined a small boutique firm as of counsel, which basically means, I'm trying to retire and phase out. Divvy up my clients, pay me out, and I'll do what I want to do and consult on what I want to consult. I think he's still doing sports stuff, but maybe he didn't want to represent Harbaugh anymore or vice versa or just didn't want to deal with this sort of deal. In any event, hiring one of the most high profile agents isn't a big deal from my perspective. Jimmy Sexton is one of the biggest agents in college football and he represents 75% of the SEC coaches a bunch of NFL coaches and players. Trace Armstrong, who represents Riley and Purple Face, has college and NFL clients. 

Joined: 09/14/2008

MGoPoints: 14791

tybert

December 31st, 2023 at 1:27 PM ^

Something certainly changed post 2020 season between Jim and Warde - the obvious contract changes (less guaranteed, more bonus potential) plus not a single NFL team seemed interested in the guy. Not sure how well they got along before that but the dynamic changed for the worse and maybe is getting even worse.

I recall a few situations at work where at up-and-coming future senior leader (HiPo's) was given a challenging assignment. They did well but their immediate people leader seemed either annoyed that the direct report was getting credit/attention and/or just had a completely different personality or management style. In each case, senior leadership did their homework and figured out the HiPo was actually being inhibited by their people leader and transferred the people leader to some mundane role far away from the HiPo. (for the record, I came across a number of HiPos in my career - not all were that great or even very good, but many were excellent).

I do have complete faith in Ono's ability to read situations like these (JH-Warde) and to have the guts to make a move.

IF - and I have no info other than what someone posted from Bacon a year or two ago about a conflict - Warde is the problem, I suspect the week after the season ends (hopefully with a win in Houston), Santa will move to send Warde packing, hire Jim Hackett as a temp (that's a guy JH does trust), get the extension signed, and begin the search for an AD that isn't an egomaniac. 

Joined: 11/17/2008

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