One of the biggest stars in music, but also a sports fan. A new company that has entered the MLB with force and controversy. This is Rimas Sports, the representation agency led by a Bad Bunny who also seeks massive success in baseball.
“Rimas Entertainment’s experience, connections and promotional channels in the music industry are what allow us to understand the work and dedication necessary to train young talent and lead them to stardom,” said Jonathan Miranda, CEO Rimas Sport, about what he noted as the “vision of merging both worlds.”
Miranda made this statement when highlighting the recognition made by Billboard, who placed them in its “Top Ballers” among the most influential executives, athletes and artists who unite music and sports.
In its catalog, in addition to Bad Bunny, Rimas Entertainment has internationally recognized artists and performers such as Arcángel or Eladio Carrión.
Bad Bunny, in love with sports
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, the real name of the so-called ‘Bad Rabbit’, has been the jewel in the crown of Rimas Entertainment, who in his journey through entertainment has led him to also successfully venture into the world of cinema, fashion and in sport.
His first steps in sports, as an entity of consideration, were not precisely with Rimas Sports, which he founded together with his representative Noah Assad y Miranda in April of last year, but rather his pioneering adventure was in his native Puerto Rico. by becoming co-owner of the Cangrejeros de Santurce basketball team.
The singer of hits like “A Summer Without You” or “Tití Me Asked” also participated in Wrestlemania 37, in the halftime show of Super Bowl LIV (2020) as well as in the All-Star Celebrity Game of the NBA and MLB, the latter being the possible trigger for this idea, according to what Miranda said in this regard.
«The response to Bad Bunny at the Celebrity Softball Game during the 2022 All-Star at Dodger Stadium, from both fans and players, was incredible. There has always been an important cultural intersection between music and sports,” says Miranda.
Although their official launch was carried out in April of last year, as revealed by Rimas Sports, they currently represent more than 60 players between the Major Leagues and the minority circuits of the MLB.
“We are a top-level athlete management agency based in Puerto Rico dedicated to the next generation of great Latin American athletes,” expresses the message that defines the work of Rimas Sports.
Among the main figures they currently represent are Venezuelan shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, for whom, before the start of this season, they managed to secure a seven-year, $63.5 million extension agreement with the Colorado Rockies.
Other very prominent names in their catalog are the Venezuelans Francisco Álvarez (New York Mets) and Wilmer Flores (San Francisco Giants), the Puerto Rican Eddie Rosario and the Dominicans Santiago Espinal (Cincinnati Reds), Marco Luciano (Giants) and Ronny Mauricio (Mets).
Trouble in a short way
The journey in this competitive world of athlete representation has barely begun for Rimas Sport but they have already encountered the first adversities.
Thus, his main agent, William Arroyo, had his certification to represent players revoked by the Major League Players Association (MLBPA) after learning of the evidence presented by other representatives, who accuse them of courting players through of the offering of gifts and money.
«At Rimas Sports, we maintain the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in our industry. Out of respect for an ongoing process within the context of MLBPA agent regulations, we will refrain from commenting at this time. “We remain committed to continuing to serve our customers with excellence,” the company said in a press release.
Although it has not been made public, Rimas would have requested that Arroyo continue in his duties until he obtained an appeal before the MLBPA to nullify the revocation of his representation license, but it would have been denied.
Given the revocation of Arroyo’s license, Rimas Sports could have continued operating through its other certified agent, Michael Velázquez, but he has been notified that he must leave the company or risk also suffering the same fate as Arroyo.
Despite this situation, the company has received the support of its representatives, who have avoided speaking publicly about this situation and have asked the MLBPA to place them on a list of players with representatives to prevent other companies from trying to contact them.
If the accusations against him are proven, Arroyo would receive a five-year suspension in which he will not be able to act as a representative, a sanction that would be extended to Miranda and Assad, who will not be able to request to be certified during this period of time.
Monetarily, they would receive a fine that could reach $400,000, sanctions that have yet to be presented to an arbitrator since the case remains under investigation.
Source: Agencies
