Four-time major winner Naomi Osaka has confirmed her decision to leave International Management Group and launch her own sports agency named Evolve, calling this the “natural next step” in her career.
“I’ve spent my career doing things my way, even when people told me that it wasn’t what was expected or traditional,” Osaka told Sportico on Wednesday.
“Evolve is the natural next step in my journey as both an athlete and businesswoman, as well as a way to continue being myself and doing things my way.”
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The 24-year-old, who first player for Japan to win a Grand Slam, is launching the firm with her long-time agent Stuart Duguid.
Duguid told Reuters that he and Osaka began discussing the venture at the Tokyo Olympics last year. He added that it will operate as a “small boutique and bespoke agency”.
“We were discussing the business models of some of her mentors like Kobe (Bryant) and Lebron (James). We thought why has no transcendent female athlete done that yet,” he said.
“It’s athlete-driven and focused on big picture brand building rather than quick checks with a commission attached.”
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Duguid added that he could not share details about the initial clients but added, “it would be only athletes who transcend their sports; or those with the potential to do so.”
On Wednesday, Osaka tweeted a video, which was a compilation of clips from her earlier playing days. In the clips, she discussed her career aspirations with the caption
“Hey kid, you’ve come a long way and even though there’s been some bumps on the road I hope you know you’re doing amazing.”
In one of the clips, she spoke about what she might be doing were she not a tennis player.
“I just like sports, so maybe (I would be) like an agent in the end,” she said.