From being a two-time NFL Executive of the Year as Arizona Cardinals general manager to taking a leave of absence in Jan. 2023 before co-founding the NIL branding and evaluation company “Brand Boss,” Steve Keim has gained a wealth of experience in the sports world and it has helped him earn a new job opportunity at a highly-regarded sports agency.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!It was announced Thursday that Keim is set to be named the general manager of Klutch Sports Group, a sports agency that represents close to 200 players in the NBA, NFL, MLB and WNBA, per ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter on X/Twitter.
“Klutch Sports Group is hiring former Arizona Cardinals GM and two-time NFL Executive of the Year Steve Keim as its General Manager,” Schefter said. “It is believed to be the first time that an agency has hired a former NFL GM as its GM. Keim now will join Klutch’s teams of agents and help run the agency the way he once helped run a football team, with some of the same responsibilities.
“Steve gives us a tremendous amount of depth through the lens of knowledge, experience and expertise,” Klutch CEO Rich Paul said according to Schefter. “This is a game changer for us and I imagine the industry. His entire life has been loving the game of football, and we couldn’t be happier to have him join us.”
Klutch Sports Group is hiring former Arizona Cardinals GM and two-time NFL Executive of the Year Steve Keim as its General Manager. It is believed to be the first time that an agency has hired a former NFL GM as its GM. Keim now will join Klutch’s teams of agents and help run the… pic.twitter.com/OnRKIZXYcX
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 19, 2024
Keim originally joined the Cardinals in May 1999 as a college scout on the East Coast. The 51-year-old was then promoted to director of college scouting in 2006, director of player personnel in 2008, vice president of player personnel in 2012 and general manager in 2013.
After having a long front-office career with the Cardinals, Arizona announced that Keim signed a contract extension through the 2027 season. On Dec. 14 that year, however, Keim would take an indefinite leave of absence from the team before ultimately stepping down as general manager on Jan. 9, 2023, citing health concerns revolving around anxiety and sleep drugs.
Spending some time away from football, Keim eventually returned to the sport when he announced the formation of Brand Boss. The company is centered around high school athletes who aspire to make it to the next level in college and the pros. Along with being a co-founder, Keim’s role is the president of brand marketing and chief of talent evaluation and recruiting services, according to the Brand Boss website.
Almost a month ago on Aug. 21, Keim helped York (Tex.) Middle School quarterback Linc Frazier receive an offer from ASU, which made Frazier the youngest recruit to secure a scholarship from the Sun Devils.
Known primarily for his work as an agent in the NBA, Paul and his agency have clients like Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson, Los Angeles Lakers forwards LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. Cardinals wide receivers Greg Dortch and Zay Jones, running back DeeJay Dallas and linebacker Jesse Luketa are also Klutch Sports Group athletes as well as Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić, former guard Eric Bledsoe and former forward Derrick Jones Jr.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers ASU Athletics, the Phoenix Mercury and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
