Excel Sports and WIN Artists Team Up on Sports Entertainment Deals

May 20, 2026 - 17:21

Excel Sports Management has formed a strategic partnership with WIN Artists, the talent agency founded by former WME powerhouse Rick Yorn, aiming to open more doors for athletes in film, television, and digital media. The collaboration will combine Excel's deep roster of top-tier sports clients with WIN's established foothold in Hollywood, creating a pipeline for athletes to pursue acting roles, production deals, and brand-driven content projects.

The move comes at a time when the line between sports and entertainment continues to blur. Athletes are increasingly seeking representation that can navigate both locker rooms and red carpets. Excel, known for representing stars like Tiger Woods and Derek Jeter, has been building its media arm for years. WIN Artists, which reps A-list talent like Leonardo DiCaprio, brings a different kind of leverage to the table.

Notably, both firms are also circling a potential deal involving Casey Wasserman's The Team, a major sports and entertainment agency. Sources suggest that Excel and WIN are exploring ways to integrate or acquire parts of Wasserman's operation, though no formal agreement has been reached. The interest signals a broader consolidation trend in the industry, where agencies are scrambling to offer one-stop shops for athletes who want to be more than just players.

For now, the partnership with WIN gives Excel's clients a direct line to Hollywood's power brokers. The goal is simple: turn athletic fame into lasting media careers, without the usual industry friction.