Marcus Rashford has become the latest high profile footballer to join Roc Nation Sports agency, and the decision to join reportedly helped him to win his battle for free school meals.
Roc Nation, formed in 2013 by US rap star and entrepreneur Shawn ‘Jay-Z’ Carter, have added Marcus Rashford to a growing footballing roster that includes Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, teammate Eric Bailly, and most recently Tyrone Mings. Rashford had been linked with a move to Roc Nation as long ago as 2016 when he first emerged as a footballing talent for Manchester United, but rumours resurfaced back in February of this year before an agreement was finalised in April. The news was somewhat kept under wraps, but it has since emerged that the agency played a supporting role in Rashford’s efforts to force the government in to a u-turn over free meal vouchers for under-privileged children during the summer holidays.
Prior to signing with Roc Nation, Rashford, 22, was represented in all matters by his brothers Dane Rashford and Dwaine Maynard, who had created their own agency. However, the pair will continue to have complete control over Rashford’s football affairs, having guided his career carefully over the last four-and-a-half years and negotiated the signing of a new contract 12 months ago.
It’s understood Roc Nation work closely with the family and handle Rashford’s off-the-field activities after formally announcing the partnership on Tuesday morning. “We can confirm that Roc Nation has represented Marcus Rashford since April 2020," said the company in a statement. “The representation is strictly off-field, encompassing philanthropy, PR and marketing, communications, digital strategy and commercial partnerships. DNMaysportsmgt continue to represent Marcus Rashford for all on-field activity.”
“We look for those figures who stand for something beyond just the sport that they play,” said Kelly Hogarth, the director of brand strategy and business communications at Roc Nation. “What he did transcended race, transcended any social unrest that we’re experiencing. This was a 22-year-old young man who was saying: ‘No child should be going hungry in this country – that is unacceptable.’ And even if you were the meanest person in the world, it was an argument you just couldn’t fight against. He was able to resonate with so many people by just being himself.”
