IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Paradigm Sports has announced the acquisition of Abdi Sports Representation (ASR), launching Paradigm Sports Global Soccer Division. ASR’s founder, Soroosh Abdi, will join Paradigm as Senior Vice President, bringing a decade-long career as a lawyer and sports agent, along with his current client portfolio of professional soccer players and coaches to Paradigm Sports.
As a multi-sport, business and media company, Paradigm Sports has transformed the sports management industry with the launch of successful business ventures alongside their clientele, such as Proper Number Twelve, McGregor Fast, and August McGregor. Paradigm Sports also manages the careers of some of the most prominent athletes in the world, like Conor McGregor, Manny Pacquiao, Israel Adesanya, Jozy Altidore, and Neiko Thorpe. Founder and CEO, Audie Attar, brokered the “Money Fight” between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor back in 2017 which, to date, remains one of the highest revenue-generating events in combat sports history.
“One of our main goals as a company is to identify high-growth markets and performers to scale and grow our business,” said Audie Attar. “We studied the top agents and agencies in the sport and were impressed with the great work that Abdi was doing as a legal practitioner and sports agent. The deals he negotiated were record-setting and the transfers he was brokering in and out of MLS, particularly in the Asian markets, aligned with what we are doing in different sectors. His innovative approach, hard work, authenticity, and client advocacy stood out to us. We are honored to have Soroosh on our team as he embodies everything Paradigm Sports represents,” he added.
Founded in 2012, ASR focused on the representation of professional soccer athletes globally. ASR built a diverse portfolio of soccer players competing in North America, Asia, and Europe. Previous contract negotiations for ASR include the 2015 Designated Player deal for former Seattle Sounder Obafemi Martins, valued at $14MM/4yr. Abdi also brokered Martins' move from Major League Soccer to Shanghai Shenhua FC of the Chinese Super League, negotiating a $2MM fee with MLS while procuring a three-year compensation package worth €23MM net for Martins alone. In 2016, Abdi represented the #2 pick of the 2016 MLS Draft, for whom he negotiated the largest-ever Generation Adidas contract for former Georgetown Star Joshua Yaro. Abdi is credited with the transfer of former South Korean International and MLS Cup Champion, Kim Kee-Hee, to MLS.
Under Paradigm Sports' newly formed Global Soccer Division, Abdi signed Jonathan Perez, one of MLS’ most promising young players who currently plays for the LA Galaxy and the Mexico U-18 National Team. Another impressive signing is Toronto FC and USA Men’s National Team star, Jozy Altidore, one of the most distinguished players in American soccer history.
“I’m thrilled to join such a distinguished and innovative organization. What drew me to Paradigm Sports was their overall vision within the sports and entertainment sector and their ambition to transform it,” said Soroosh Abdi. “In the short-term, we remain committed to fostering a representation experience that will attract today’s and tomorrow’s soccer stars, as exhibited by our most recent signings. In the long-term, we will strive to empower the most talented soccer players on the planet. Our representation model is not merely to build an impressive athletic career, but to build clients a sports enterprise, just as Paradigm Sports has accomplished for some of our Combat Sports athletes.”
About Paradigm Sports:
Paradigm Sports is a full-service management agency that sets itself apart as a multi-sport, business, and media company that manages and enhances the careers of many of the top athletes on earth and builds some of the coolest brands and companies with them.
