UTA Sports and Klutch Expand Portfolio with Acquisition of ROOF
In a major move that is set to shake up the world of sports representation, UTA Sports and Klutch have announced the acquisition of ROOF (Representatives Of Outstanding Footballers), a leading agency representing top European footballers.
With about 150 clients across Europe’s top football leagues, including the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A, French Ligue 1, and German Bundesliga, ROOF brings a wealth of talent and expertise to the UTA and Klutch portfolio.
Björn Bezemer, co-founder and managing director of ROOF, will now head Klutch Global Football, working alongside Rich Paul and Andrew Thau, the founders of Klutch and co-heads of UTA Sports. The addition of ROOF to the UTA and Klutch family marks a significant step into the world of global football representation.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Thau expressed excitement about the opportunity to enter the world’s most popular sport with the top soccer representation agency. Paul added that the move aligns with their vision of representing athletes across the global sports ecosystem.
The deal also signifies UTA’s continued expansion into Europe, following the acquisition of the U.K. literary agency Curtis Brown Group in 2022. Thau emphasized that the acquisition of ROOF is not just a football move but a platform move that opens up new opportunities for the agency.
With top clients like NBA star LeBron James and NFL player Jalen Hurts already under their representation, UTA Sports and Klutch are now set to build out their roster of female athletes, both in the U.S. and Europe. Paul highlighted the growing interest in women’s sports and expressed excitement about the potential for female athletes in their portfolio.
Overall, the acquisition of ROOF by UTA Sports and Klutch marks a significant step in the world of sports representation, bringing together top talent from the world of European football with the expertise and resources of two powerhouse agencies.