April 27, 2024

Wasserman group hires Dan Vertlieb

By Calder Hynes

Wasserman Sports and Entertainment

LOS ANGELES – Global sports, music, and entertainment company Wasserman has hired Dan Vertlieb as senior vice president, Baseball, said executive vice president and managing executives, Joel Wolfe and B.B. Abbott.

"Dan's passion and excitement for player-first representation fits perfectly into who we are and what we do,” said Wolfe, whose parents grew up in Montreal. “It's clear that he'll play an important role not only maintaining our standard of excellence, but pushing it higher for years to come."

The hire continues a recent string of successes for Wasserman Baseball, following an offseason that included signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto and negotiating the largest pitching contract ever on his behalf ($325 million), negotiating a five-year, $136.5 million contract extension for Tyler Glasnow, and a three-year $126 million extension for Zack Wheeler. This, on the heels of a record-breaking 2023 amateur draft (representing four of the top 15 picks and six first-rounders total), and winning an arbitration case on behalf of Taylor Ward.

“Hiring Dan signals a continued effort by Wasserman Baseball to be home to the very best agents in our industry,” said Abbott. “Dan is an experienced and gifted attorney that provides all of his clients with first-class service and negotiation expertise. He will complement our continued commitment and effort to our players to always put their interests and goals first.”

Vertlieb’s big-league clients, including Matt Brash (Kingston, Ont.), Tony Gonsolin, Scott McGough, Ryne Nelson, Adley Rutschman, Austin Voth, Jacob Waguespack, and Tyler Wells, will join Wasserman’s first-class roster of some of the biggest names in baseball, including Nolan Arenado, Matt Olson, Giancarlo Stanton, Jose Berrios, Edwin Diaz, Justin Steele, Chris Sale, Byron Buxton, Yu Darvish, Wheeler, Yamamoto and Glasnow

Dan Vertlieb with Hall of Famer Bruce Springsteen and Vertlieb’s wife Emma at the Elliott Bay Book Company in Seattle, 2016.

“Throughout my career, I have seen Wasserman grow and evolve into an unparalleled force in the sports and entertainment industry,” said Vertlieb. “Wasserman Baseball’s tradition of excellence is focused on principles of providing thorough, innovative, and personal representation, while standing firmly behind our clients. These values align perfectly with what I believe athlete advocacy should look like. My family and I are honoured to join a practice with a storied history and a bright future, and I am excited to help further this great legacy.”

Vertlieb has over 20 years of experience in the sports industry, including 15 years as an agent and attorney. In 2019, Rutschman was drafted No. 1 overall and received the largest signing bonus in draft history. Since then, he has advised 11 players that received over $1 million in the draft, including five first round picks, and has represented three all-stars.

A graduate of the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, Vertlieb is a member of the Sports Law Association, and also has an extensive background in media relations - serving as the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee’s Media and Public Relations Consultant in 2007-2008, and the director of communications for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League in 2003.

Dan and his wife Emma are from Vancouver, B.C. and have two sons, Carter (five) and Jackson (two). His uncle Dick Vertlieb was an NBA and general manager who was named executive of the Year in 1975 for leading the Golden State Warriors to the NBA title, and his father Art Vertlieb currently serves as the general counsel for the CFL Players Association.

Throughout its over 20-year history, Wasserman has deliberately and strategically grown its worldwide presence through both targeted acquisitions and organic growth, establishing itself as one of the world's leading companies in the areas of sports and music talent representation, and brands and properties consultancy.

Wasserman’s baseball division last grew when it acquired Abbott’s Jet Sports Management in July, 2022, adding a number of agents, staff, and clients to the practice, expanding all facets of baseball operations.

About Wasserman

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Wasserman's presence spans 27 countries and more than 65 cities, including New York, London, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Madrid, Mexico City, Toronto, Paris and Sydney. For more information, please visit www.teamwass.com.