“Grizzlies’ Star Ja Morant Announces Split with Agent Jim Tanner via Social Media”
Recently, the Memphis Grizzlies’ star player Ja Morant announced via social media that he has officially parted ways with his agent, Jim Tanner. The decision marks the end of their collaboration. Tanner was Morant’s agent since Morant entered the NBA, and their partnership lasted for five years until this dissolution. Despite Morant facing a suspension and his reputation hitting rock bottom, Tanner consistently advocated for Morant. The two were once very close, but now they have drifted apart.
It’s not that Jim Tanner lacks business acumen. Although he may not be as high-profile as LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul, he has represented several notable players.
For instance, he has worked with towering figure Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs, sharpshooter Ray Allen of the Miami Heat, tough guy Shane Battier of the Houston Rockets, and the sensational Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks. Their collaborations were not only successful but also enjoyable. Some fans might assume that agents are only negotiation experts for contracts, but their roles extend beyond that.
Aside from negotiating player contracts, agents also handle players’ commercial endorsements. Morant, as one of the young stars of his generation, has endorsement deals with Nike for his basketball shoes and various sports beverages, amounting to millions of dollars in income. Therefore, the choice of agent is crucial for a player. For example, Tristan Thompson, the former center for the Cleveland Cavaliers, despite averaging only 8 points and 8 rebounds per game, secured an $80 million contract thanks to Rich Paul. Thus, he earned the nickname “Eight-Figure Tristan.”
Certainly, a top-tier agent can earn substantial income, comparable to some players. Especially those with a roster of star clients, making tens of millions of dollars a year is not uncommon. According to NBA regulations, agents can take a maximum of 4% of a player’s contract and 20% of commercial endorsement deals. For Morant, whose contract with the Grizzlies is approximately $200 million, Tanner could earn around $8 million. Adding some commercial endorsements and considering the number of star clients, substantial earnings are not uncommon.
Therefore, many players, in order to save money, sometimes appoint family members as agents or even decide to go without an agent. Take James Harden, for example. From 2017 to 2023, during six years, Harden’s agent was his mother. At that time, Harden was at his peak, and he pretty much received the best offers from teams. However, in February 2023, Harden had to hire a professional agent again because it was time to negotiate contracts.
So, why did Morant part ways with Tanner, his close friend of five years? Some media outlets suggest it’s about disciplinary issues. When Morant was first suspended, Tanner managed to arrange a face-to-face meeting with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver for Morant. With a good attitude and apology, the punishment was lenient, only an 8-game suspension.
However, when Morant got caught engaging in prohibited activities for the second time, the league took a tougher stance. The first offense could be understood as a mistake deserving lighter punishment. But to repeat the offense within just two months showed a lack of improvement. Despite Tanner’s pleas, Silver didn’t relent, handing Morant a 25-game suspension. This directly resulted in Morant being unable to qualify for the All-NBA team selection, leading to the loss of millions in potential earnings. Moreover, suspended players do not receive salaries during their suspensions, adding to the financial impact.
In conclusion, Morant was dissatisfied with Tanner’s handling of his affairs, but he failed to recognize the severity of his own transgressions. Additionally, Silver’s punishment might have been too lenient considering Morant’s repeated offenses.
