Arn Tellem is recognized as one of the most influential and respected sports agents in the world. During his career as a certified player agent, Tellem has negotiated some of the most lucrative and high profile contracts in NBA and MLB history. In addition to the unparalleled relationships that Tellem enjoys with owners and general managers in both leagues, he is considered a leading expert on the MLB’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. As President of Wasserman Media Group Management, Tellem oversees one of the nation’s leading athlete representation businesses.

Over the past few years, Sports Business Journal named Tellem the Most Influential Agent in Sports and The Sporting News named Tellem “Most Influential Sports Agent.” Recently, Tellem was named to The Sporting News “50 Most Influential People in Sports Business” and was recognized as the industry’s top agent by the magazine numerous times over the past several years.

Tellem received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Haverford College in 1976, and his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Michigan Law School in 1979. Following graduation from law school, Tellem moved to Los Angeles and joined the law firm of Manatt, Phelps, and Phillips, where he specialized in sports law and commercial litigation and became a partner in the firm. Tellem also served as General Counsel for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association between 1982 and 1988.

Tellem is certified as an agent by the Major League Baseball Players Association and the National Basketball Players Association and is a member of the American Bar Association and the State Bar of California. He has served as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Southern California School of Law and is frequently invited to lecture on sports law and agency at seminars and law schools throughout the country. Tellem serves on the Board of Directors of Playing for Peace and Seeds of Peace, organizations that bring together kids from conflict regions around the world to promote peace, tolerance, and understanding among the youth in those regions.

Tellem has represented some of the top NBA and MLB players throughout his career, including Reggie Miller, Albert Belle, Mike Mussina, and Frank Thomas. His current clientele includes baseball players Chase Utley, Jason Giambi, and Rich Harden and basketball stars Pau Gasol, Derrick Rose, Brandon Roy, and Tracy McGrady, just to name a few.

A native of Philadelphia, Tellem is married to Nancy Reiss Tellem, President of CBS Paramount Network Television Entertainment Group and they have three sons, Michael, Matthew, and Eric.

Show full bio

Hide full bio