UTA-backed Klutch Sports Group has acquired sports agency REP 1 Baseball, using it as a foundation for a newly formed division, Klutch Baseball.
Chris Koras, CEO of REP 1 Baseball, will serve as the Head of Baseball for the new division. In 2019, UTA made an investment in Klutch, which was founded by Rich Paul. In addition to serving as CEO of Klutch, Paul is also Co-Head of UTA Sports.
REP 1 has negotiated more than $2 billion in contracts for a number of top-tier Major League Baseball players. The dollar value of contracts has surged in recent years, highlighted just days ago by the record-smashing signing of Shohei Ohtani by the Los Angeles Dodgers for $700 million.
Founded in 2015, REP 1 has become a leading agency for professional baseball players from North America and Latin America. Its clients include Rafael Devers, Devin Williams, Andrés Giménez, Gabriel Moreno, Starling Marte, Freddy Peralta, Leody Tavares and 2023 first round draft picks Jacob Gonzalez and Enrique Bradfield.
“We believe in the transformative power of sports, and this move into baseball aligns perfectly with our commitment to excellence, innovation, and best-in-class representation for the world’s most talented athletes,” Paul said in a press release. “The game of baseball has a special place in the hearts of sports fans around the world, and we’re thrilled to extend Klutch’s reach into this sport and to welcome Chris, the team, and their clients to Klutch.”
Andrew Thau, COO of UTA and Co-Head of UTA Sports, called sports “an important part of UTA’s long term strategy, with Klutch “at the heart of our vision.” Klutch Baseball’s formation, he continued, “adds another exciting dimension to the range of talent we represent and the expanding capabilities we can offer them.”
Members of the REP 1 leadership team will help Koras run the new baseball division. Peter Greenberg will serve as President of Baseball, Nelson Montes de Oca as VP of Latin America and Nate Heisler as VP of North America.
“Meaningful progress in baseball representation is long overdue,” Koras said. “This move signals a shift in conventional thinking and reinforces our commitment to our clients by uniting our exceptional contract negotiations and servicing with the expansive client-focused 360 approach and cultural significance that UTA and KLUTCH are known for. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to elevate player expectations as they seek fulfillment during and long after their playing careers.”