NJ Biz Covers Pro Agents + IPZ Alliance

Baseball agency with Yankee pedigree inks deal with IPZ

By Howard Burns

A full-service professional baseball agency created by offspring of local legends with deep connections to the New York Yankees has formed a strategic link with Warren-based strategic agency IPZ, the companies announced Tuesday.

Pro Agents Inc., headquartered in Woodbridge, was established in 1995 by Major League Baseball agents David Pepe and Billy Martin Jr. Over the past 23 years, Pepe and Martin have combined to negotiate more than $200 million in contracts.

Pepe is the son of the late baseball writer Phil Pepe, who covered sports in New York for more than five decades, including several as the beat writer covering the Yankees for The New York Daily News. Martin is the son of the former Yankees second baseman and five-time manager Billy Martin.

Among the players the agency has represented or currently represents are six-time MLB All-Star reliever Joe Nathan, former MLB pitcher Carl Pavano, current Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tom Koehler and 2016 first-round pick of the Los Angeles Angels, Matt Thaiss.

Specialists in contract negotiation and off-field management, Pro Agents will receive support from IPZ with public relations and marketing opportunities for current and former baseball clients. In addition, IPZ, through its network of coaches and sports contacts, will refer baseball players to Pro Agents for representation. Pepe, a member of the New Jersey Bar, will also be available to assist with other contracts for IPZ athletes.

“I had the pleasure of working with Dave’s father, the great sportswriter Phil Pepe of the Daily News, and covering Billy‘s dad, the former Yankee manager, during my days as a sportswriter,” said IPZ Founder Robert Zito in a statement. “I’ve followed Dave’s career and am thrilled we will now have the opportunity to work together. Pro Agents has the same family philosophy and commitment to integrity that IPZ has. Together, we will provide a trusted resource for players and their families.”

IPZ is a management, representation and consulting company aligned with public relations and marketing communications Zito Partners, also based in Warren.

View the story on NJBiz here.