Compass is continuing its poaching spree. This time, the brokerage nabbed the managing director of competitor the Agency’s sports and entertainment division to lead its own similar division.
Agent Kofi Nartey, whose client list has included basketball great Michael Jordan; recording artist Iggy Azalea; and NFL veterans LaDainian Tomlinson and Marcellus Wiley, will work out of Compass’ Beverly Hills office and will focus on the specialized needs of professional athletes and entertainers, the company said.
“Compass Global Sports & Entertainment Division will serve a very important niche market that is equal parts real estate and concierge services,” said Robert Reffkin, Compass Founder and CEO. “Sports stars and entertainers often find themselves having to shift life and career plans in a moment’s notice, and with Kofi’s expertise, Compass is prepared to seamlessly guide them through any stage in their journeys whether in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Boston, Washington DC, or beyond.”
Nartey said he had not been planning a departure from the Agency but couldn’t resist a chance to build a team from scratch with national reach.
Compass does have some credibility with the sporting set. Golfer Greg Norman recently listed his $55 million Colorado ranch with Compass broker Steven Shane.
A former football player at the University of California at Berkeley, Nartey has also appeared in several films and is regularly a featured agent on HGTV’s “Selling LA.”