Report: NFLPA investigating Smith's recruitment by Jay-Z group
The NFL Players Association is looking into Roc Nation's recruitment of New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith, NFL.com reported Friday.
Roc Nation was founded by Jay-Z, but he is not yet certified by the players' union to act as an agent. Friends or colleagues who are not certified agents are not allowed to be present during meetings in which an agency is recruiting a player.
Smith's adviser John Thornton told CBS earlier this week, "I was in those meetings, and Jay-Z connected with him on many levels."
Thornton later said he was misquoted.
Smith also posted an Instragram picture of himself with Jay-Z during the recruiting process.
According to the NFL.com report, the union plans to send a letter of inquiry to Roc Nation agent Kim Miale to get more information about Jay-Z's involvement in the recruitment of Smith.
Smith is Miale's third NFL client, according to NFLPA records, but Smith is by far the biggest name. Linebacker Brandon Hicks, who spent time in two NFL training camps the last two summers, and arena league kicker Carlos Martinez are the other two.
Victor Cruz, who is represented by Tom Condon, is using Roc Nation for marketing puirposes.
The NFLPA sent a letter of inquiry to Condon, but cleared him of any wrongdoing.
