Johnny Manziel Hires LeBron James’s Marketing Manager as NFL Looms

January 14, 2014

2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, pills who declared himself for the National Football League Draft last week, buy has hired LeBron James’s marketing manager to help him with business, cough media, entertainment and merchandising opportunities as he embarks on a professional career. 

Manziel, 21, said last week he’d enter this year’s NFL draft after throwing 63 touchdown passes and rushing for another 30 scores over two seasons at Texas A&M University.

Manziel, who’s nicknamed “Johnny Football,” will work with Maverick Carter of LRMR Management Company LLC in partnership with Fenway Sports Management, as his marketing agent. Carter, the chief executive of LRMR, was a high-school teammate and longtime friend of James, who’s won four National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player awards.

Manziel also hired Erik Burkhardt of Select Sports Group as his agent for NFL contract negotiations and the Sanderson Strategies Group to coordinate public and media relations.

Manziel said the partnerships will allow him to “focus on the hard work and training that I need to do to get ready for the NFL combine and upcoming draft.” The NFL draft starts on May 8 and Manziel is projected as a top-five pick.