Craig McKenzie
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Craig McKenzie | |
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 Craig McKenzie 2009 |
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| Born | Craig T. McKenzie September 13, 1970 Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Occupation | Writer, Agent, Documentarian |
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Influences
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| Official website | |
Craig McKenzie (born September 13, 1970 in Chicago, Illinois) is a sports, entertainment and marketing agent. Craig McKenzie is also a writer with a rumored novel said to be released this Winter 2010.
McKenzie graduated from the prestigious St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago. Then he attended Valparaiso University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Political Science in 1992. He went on to graduate from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1995. In 2008, at the young age of 37, McKenzie was one of only four hundred people nominated on the ballot to be a Valparaiso University 150 Most Influential Person in the University's history [1].
McKenzie started his practice in partnership with renown sports agent Eugene E. Parker of Maximum Sports Management. With Parker, McKenzie co-represented Deion Sanders and negotiated commercial contracts that lead the legendary "Prime-Time" Sanders, the real-life inspiration for the flamboyant character "Rod Tidwell" in the film Jerry McGuire, to become second to Michael Jordan in endorsement earnings in 1996-1997, according to Forbes Magazine.
McKenzie now owns his own marketing firm, the Milwaukee based Higher Vision Sports AMG (Artist Marketing Group), where some of his clients are three-sport athlete and Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward; Marcus Brown, the once highest paid American player in European basketball history [2], and McKenzie recently has worked with Common (entertainer), a hip hop/rap artist who has also transitioned into acting in feature films such as Smokin' Aces, American Gangster, Street Kings, Wanted and Terminator Salvation. As of mid 2000, McKenzie's practice has become known for representing some of the best athletes in Europe. McKenzie is also a major Democratic Party supporter, fundraiser, and volunteer for Presidential Elect Barack Obama. The two met when they once shared the same south side of Chicago church, Trinity United Church of Christ. McKenzie was one of many honored guest to the Barack Obama 2009 presidential inauguration Home States Ball where Common (entertainer) performed and many Chicago celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey were in attendance.
[edit] References
- Perry, Michael (1999-05-03). "Agents court Xavier star". The Cincinnati Enquirer. http://www.enquirer.com/xavier/1999/05/03/xu_agents_court_xavier.html.
- Concordia University Wisconsin: Craig McKenzie
- Roberts, Selena (1999-01-18). "First Goal of Knicks is Signing Of Ward". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9803E7D61431F931A25752C0A96F958260.
- "Nike signs Bibby and Wells". The Sports Business Journal. 1998-09-28. http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/19363.
- Campaign Money
- Celebs and Business Person Listing of Obama Supporters
- Huffington Post
- Source Watch
