Jalen Hurts entered the history books this week as the NFL’s highest-paid athlete of all time. However, not a lot of his fans are aware of the work that went on behind the scenes of this success story. Most of the time, the difference between a good contract and a great one is a super-talented agent. And Jalen found the perfect one, way back in 2020, right after he finished his college career in Oklahoma. And after her recent accolade, Nicole Lynn opened up more about her contribution to the Hurts’ contract.
Super sports agent Nicole Lynn walked into the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback’s life in a way that could be the ultimate definition of hustle and shooting your shot, for all those NBA aficionados. And from the looks of it, her gamble paid off massively.
Meet Jalen’s super agent- Nicole Lynn
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When Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts met at State Farm Arena in Phoenix for the Super Bowl LVII showdown, the two quarterbacks made history as the first two black starting quarterbacks in the Super Bowl’s history. However, that wasn’t the only record that etched its place in the books that night. Jalen’s agent, Nicole Lynn, also became the first woman of any race to become the agent of a starting QB in a Super Bowl. Yes, the Eagles lost 38-35. But Hurts and Lynn had done enough to convince the Birds of the massive payout. This journey started all the way back in 2020 with an innocuous Instagram DM.
Fellow Oklahoma University alum Nicole reached out to Hurts before the latter entered the 2020 NFL draft. “Hey, have you picked an agent? If not, I’d love to link,” the message read. Jalen’s father did his share of scrutiny. And after the heads up from the passer, the two embarked on the monumental journey that culminated with the 5-year $255 million extension this week, the highest ever in average annual value.
About managing an MVP-caliber quarterback on the biggest footballing stage in the country, Nicole told Essence, “What I do as an agent is already unique because I am a black woman. I’m a woman. I’m in the 1 percent of all 900 certified agents. But even for a white male, representing quarterbacks is upper-echelon.” This is a no-brainer because of the enormous difference in contract sizes for quarterbacks and players from other positions and roles.
Jalen Hurts has built a strong management team from his own community
The dual-threat Philly quarterback’s life has been shaped by powerful black women. Starting from his grandmother Cindy to his tight bond with his mother, Pamela Hurts. This has majorly influenced his decisions in his professional career. Agent and Klutch Sports Group’s President of Football, Nicole Lynn, isn’t the only black woman on Jalen’s talented roster.
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Jalen Hurts pens his own Love Letter to Black Women. #ESSENCE pic.twitter.com/6c54Us0GsM
— ESSENCE (@Essence) April 17, 2023
Hurts’ all-female management team comprises Chantal Romain and Shakeemah Simmons-Winter, handling the communications department. Besides that, Jenna Malphrus handles endorsement management and Rachel Everett is in charge of the marketing.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Ex-Eagles legend urges Jalen Hurts to sign $500,000,000 deal like Patrick Mahomes
Undoubtedly, the women have outdone all expectations. And surely, with the contract anxiety in the back seat, Hurts and the Eagles can aim for the Vince Lombardi trophy in 2023. The one they were so close to putting their hands on.