JOHN KOFI OSEI-TUTU

Attorney and Sports Agent
Co-Founder of The OT Sports Group, LLC and Law Partner at Bradford Edwards, LLP
Josei-tutu@otsportsgroup.com or
Josei-tutu@bradfordedwards.com

Interview

• Where are you originally from?

  Freeport, New York

• Where do you currently reside?

  Freeport, New York

• What prompted you to get into the sports/entertainment industry?

  I grew up playing ice hockey. I, like many others, had my athletic dreams cut short because of health complications but my dream of making it to the NHL never died. I saw an opportunity to use my business and legal acumen to accomplish that dream and went for it.

• Please outline the services you provide for clients and any specialties.

  • Business Litigation

  • Business-related NCAA compliance counsel

  • Entity formation and corporate governance counsel

  • Employment/Services contract negotiation and drafting;

  • Brand development, marketing and public relations management;

  • Strategic career planning and development for aspiring professional athletes

• What type of clients do you typically represent? What factors do you consider when deciding which clients to take on?

  The most surprising thing about the hockey agent business is how challenging acquiring and keeping clients is. A common misconception is that people can just decide to become an agent and magically start recruiting players that are in the NHL.

  There is no degree you can get to prepare you for properly identifying a potential prospect, building a relationship with that prospect, establishing an advisor/agent relationship with that prospect and then keeping that relationship until that player enters the league and signs a long-term deal.

  Along the way, if the prospect is any good, there will be bigger agencies with robust client lists that will literally attempt to buy your clients from you.

  My partner and I worked for 5 years to get our first NHL player, only to lose him after his first 10 games.

  Short answer - there is a huge barrier to entry and you have to be ready to go to war every day to make it.

• What are some challenges or obstacles you have faced as a Black professional in this industry?

  I work primarily in ice hockey, one of the most predominately White sports in North America. There is only one other Black agent in the game, Eustace King and, because we are in competition with each other, mentorship and guidance was never an option. The players and the executives are predominately White.

  There are plenty obstacles that I've had to overcome to break into this industry. I got started at 26 and getting people to see me as a qualified person who has the requisite intellect and knowledge of the game was challenging but not insurmountable.

  I'll never forget the day a current NCAA Division Once coach asked my client whether I "even owned a pair of skates" while encouraging my client to seek different representation.

  Another NCAA Head Coach asked a different client of mine whether I "actually know what I'm doing" when my client elected to sign an NHL contract instead of returning to school for his senior year.

  I am now entering my eight year in the game with a roster that includes NHL players, Olympians and highly touted draft prospects. By overcoming these obstacles, I hope those who come after me will face less prejudices and negative misconceptions than I did.

• What do you think can be done to improve diversity with regards to representation?

  Specifically in hockey, there needs to be more cohesion in the Black community. We have a growing number of executives, media personalities, coaches, NHL alums, entrepreneurs and importantly, players.

  Unfortunately, instead of working together, I often see us fighting each other.

  We need more unity and less ego.

• What advice would you have for other Black professionals or students looking to enter this profession?

  Don't follow the herd. Don't be afraid to be different. The real rewards come from forging your own path. Use the unique skills and traits that make you stand out to do exactly that - stand out. That's how you make an impact.

• What is the best way for people to get in touch with you?

  Email me - Josei-tutu@otsportsgroup.com or Josei-tutu@bradfordedwards.com

  @johnozzytutu on IG and X (Twitter) works as well