Inside the world of rugby agents - Ardie Savea meets Roc Nation | Changing the Game

Episode 2 of Changing the Game follows Roc Nation, the innovative entertainment agency which is managing the likes of Cheslin Kolbe, Maro Itoje and Ardie Savea. This episode follows their president Michael Yormark as he travels to South Africa to strategise with his clients. #ChangingTheGame
---
Watch Live Rugby for free - www.therugbynetwork.com/
Join our Discord - / discord
Binge episodes of The Season Brisbane Boys College - • 'The Season' 8 - Austr...
RUGBYPASS MERCH - rugbypass.shop/
SUBSCRIBE to Rugby Pass for daily rugby videos, exclusive interviews, press conferences, highlights, original documentaries, weekly chat shows and much more: / @rugbypass
---
RECOMMENDED PLAYLISTS:
GUINNESS SIX NATIONS 2022
• Guinness Six Nations News
British & Irish Lions Tour 2021
• British & Irish Lions
RUGBYPASS FAN ZONE
• RugbyPass Fan Zone
RUGBY NEWS, PRESS CONFERENCES, INTERVIEWS & REACTION:
• Rugby News
CLASSIC FULL MATCHES & HIGHLIGHTS:
• Classic Matches & High...
THE ACADEMY S1, LEICESTER TIGERS - PLAYLIST:
• Leicester Tigers - The...
RUGBYPASS ORIGINALS - PLAYLIST:
• Documentaries - RugbyP...
HOLD BACK THE RIVER - PLAYLIST: • Hold Back The River - ...
THE SEASON S1, ST JOSEPH'S NUDGEE COLLEGE - PLAYLIST:
• 'The Season' 1 - Austr...
THE SEASON S3, ST PATS SILVERSTREAM - PLAYLIST:
• 'The Season' 3 - New Z...
THE SEASON S5, HAMILTON BOYS HIGH SCHOOL - PLAYLIST:
• 'The Season' 5 - New Z...
THE SEASON S6, BRISBANE BOYS COLLEGE - PLAYLIST:
• 'The Season' 6 - Austr...
---
RugbyPass is the premier destination for rugby fans across the globe, with the best news, analysis, shows, highlights, podcasts, documentaries, live match & player stats, live blog feeds, and in some territories live streaming of the world's greatest rugby tournaments all in HD.
In 2017 and 2018, RugbyPass acquired several popular rugby properties including Rugby Dump, Rugby Onslaught, Rugby365 and Fantasy Rugger, becoming the largest independent English-language rugby audience network in the world. The RugbyPass Network reaches tens of millions of rugby fans across its social media channels and millions of users across its websites.
WATCH: weekly episodes of The Breakdown (NZ), The Aussie Rugby Show (AU), The Rugby Pod (UK), The Aotearoa Rugby Pod (NZ), The Breakdown & Offload. VISIT www.RugbyPass.com for the best international and local rugby news, views and entertainment.
---
#Rugby #RugbyPass
---

[@keevee09]

Call me old school, but always have grounded mates close at hand when the Smile Team turns up to promise you riches.

[@localmo88]

100.

[@havoc2all356]

Truth!!!!! Them guys looked like they were looking right through him and seeing nothing but dollars in their pockets!!!

[@francis1836]

Yes

[@kiwimark3875]

Never trust someone that wears a suit that tight and calls everyone 'my brother'. DJ Kalid is his Muse OMFG

[@terenasimons2787]

🤣🤣

[@hemitam3651]

7:28 Goes in on the toast 7:34 Drop the butter on the floor in front of the prospective new client, the boss and the camera. 7:39 Pretend to spread the butter you dropped and hope no one notice.

[@ishtaq]

😂 what foolery!

[@HyinaMufasa13]

😂😂😂

[@johnappleseed2558]

Dude you can see the butter on the ground once he dropped it ... then it suddenly disappeared lol

[@hemitam3651]

@@johnappleseed2558 you can actually hear a llittle thud when it hits the ground 💀

[@chichikimeli]

both ardie and beast even react to it, you can see beast holding his hat and ardie trying very hard to hold in a laugh at the end they hold each other and laugh probably they are great bread friends

[@billfleming4370]

Rugby doesn't need big talking agents like this guy..... humility and respect, the foundations of rugby which make it unique vs other sports

[@couplegrands5189]

Rugby does need big talking agents! These players main focus should be making the most money they can while they can and invest their earnings!

[@billfleming4370]

@@couplegrands5189 its good in a sense that there is a shake up and that the players have more say however if making money is the players number 1 goal then the game will turn to shite

[@bradleylefika9209]

Rugby Players deserve this and more! I had an aspiring rugby career however got cut short due to torn knee ligaments, broken clavicle and a back operation. Didn't get the opportunity to make money. If the money is there, pay the players

[@ishtaq]

When your agents are rocking $35k watches, who’s making the money? They need to make money with re-negotiations and transfers

[@sammacculloch446]

Spot on

[@toddcham]

"Keys to success from DJ Khaled" - he's a true athlete that guy lol

[@stara8710]

we need that next episode

[@TheKing129129]

Michael may not be the most trustworthy guy out there, but if he’s bringing opportunities and better pay to our biggest name rugby players - that’s good!

[@TheSiyasss]

Why is he not?

[@lukask4498]

I feel the same way, his speach at the beginning and how he speaks on behalf of everyone sounds so rehersed and fake. I would rather hear Jerry Maguire quotes lol. Im not saying he's not doing a great job for the players. Just all the politically correct and crafted statements to make him look as "mother Teresa" when we all know its about the money (nothing wrong with that).

[@rugbymotiv8820]

If I ever need to show someone what a snake oil salesman is, I’ll show them Michael Yormack

[@matgbx]

haha 1000%

[@HyinaMufasa13]

When did u ever sign a deal with him?

[@leila9372]

@@HyinaMufasa13 😂😂😂😂😂😂bro. Always wannabes like these guys thinking they know these guys personally 😂😂😂😂 bet you none of these bums ever played pro

[@mdavidom5903]

@@HyinaMufasa13 a like just for ur name....😆😆

[@HyinaMufasa13]

@@mdavidom5903 ? What my name got do with getting a deal lol

[@whitecollartradie4862]

Definitely want to watch more of this

[@Flebeb]

great acting lads

[@seamus9750]

Not sure this yank is going to be good for Bok rugby

[@lemonkaysweet]

This is going to be game changing 👌 this is really eye opening !!! Gives me "Baller" vibes

[@jessychirenge]

This will give the Kardashians(all the unessary drama and pauses) a run for their money 😭idk what to think. These players should have a lawyer present or something that they know exactly what contracts they signing. Hopefully, 5 years from now, RugbyPass isn't doing a documentary on rugby agent scams on Roc Nation😬

[@dabzvapelord]

this dude feels slimey.

[@hellovanite]

yep flim flam man

[@mlele7372]

About the same standard as the other reality shows out there

[@mickysunnyraj7523]

This plays out like an episode of isidingo.

[@rugbymotiv8820]

Yeah i don’t trust this bloke at all

[@jasonshaun6657]

Wearing that loud balenciaga jersey is the first thing you see. As long as he gets the chaps $$$ and brings money in, all good. Just reminds me of a used car salesman.

[@user-eo7gl4yq2u]

It's concerning for these athletes going in these meetings on their own. I understand it's just a meet and greet, lawyers are only there for contract signing. However, they need a support person with them in these meetings. It's a good experience for them to build their post rugby career.

[@drinkingup2157]

Its very cleverly suggested that they don't need to come in with a friend and if they were to do so it would indicate mistrust on their part as we are all friends here.

[@user-eo7gl4yq2u]

@@drinkingup2157 I agree. These athletes would go on and learn that going to these meetings, they would need a good friend to go with them. If that doesn't work, best thing is never agree or sign anything in those meetings.

[@ashleymaasdorp9591]

Take an example of Jordan Hendricks what does he know of the business and contract world he plays for a club the lions yes they are paid...but I just feel fir someone that young to go up wolf in sheep clothes he needed someone their to support him...

[@hellovanite]

Stay away from the devil Ardie

[@vaafiso7637]

Goosebumps

[@ChyeahWill]

😂😂 shut up man, stop hating on successful people

[@hellovanite]

@@ChyeahWill You got no I fkn idea bro

[@cullyx2913]

😂😂😂

[@ieruleilua902]

Ardie ain’t no devil he’s a angel

[@AliceDianaa]

Forgive me if I’m being naive, but doesn’t the game need to grow before the players can get footballer salaries? Don’t get me wrong, these boys deserve the big bucks and a lot of looking after given how hard they work and the safety aspects of the game. I can’t help but think paying too few people too much could demolish the game, but happy to listen to what experts have to say!

[@bradleylefika9209]

Not sure which country you live but rugby is probably a small sport in the US, everywhere else in the world its big

[@Josh-ud1vr]

​@@bradleylefika9209 remember to contrast rugby to football - unfortunately it's pretty small and not all that popular globally, yet

[@ibomb6232]

@@Josh-ud1vr it's big in Europe and the southern hemisphere.

[@ipman01tuaman60]

Roc nation saw a great opportunity and a smart move to get in this market because it’s big in United Kingdom and Europe. Also Southern Hemisphere Nations and Japan. USA needs to host a rugby World Cup just like Japan did in order to grow and catch up to the rest of the world.

[@sheldoncooper0]

@@bradleylefika9209 lol yeah and that’s where the moneys at. Any sport that’s big in the US are the highest paid atheletes. Think NBA, boxing etc. Mike Tyson, Floyd may weather etc. Tyson got paid 30-40 million per fight in his peak. That’s more than what Jonah lomu got paid in his entire career. Not to mention that even in Europe and Asia, soccer is way bigger than rugby by a long shot.

[@sinenhlanhlamlondo8013]

Can you imagine Savea signing for a South African franchise?

[@tonypaopao6169]

The devil creepin in to rugby now

[@bpswank429]

It was just a matter of time

[@turkishdelight7083]

Without equal THE worst thing that has ever or could ever happen to rugby is this.

[@ora-in-aotearoa9747]

ROC nation, how clever is this guy, even tho he cleverly uses his entrepreneurial skills to profile top quality rugby players world wide, but this is his opportunity to make this a world wide TV show with the best rugby players in the world following their lives as top athletes, the rugby market, followers etc is untouched with this type of series, Clever clever man

[@jzkramer]

Massive CRINGE!

[@lukecarter7776]

This is GREAT for rugby. Anyone who thinks otherwise doesn’t care about our players making money and staying in SA. Why do you think everyone leaves to Japan FFS 😂 Let’s make SA rugby 🏉 a powerhouse with rugby superstars. Game will develop and so will the boks. Thank you RocNation

[@johnappleseed2558]

How do u think roc nation will build up popularity worldwide ? Have these boys on their music videos ? Invite jay z and Beyonce and DJ Khaled perform weekly in the rugby super 12 ? 😆 these boys are being recycled ♻️ in by the matrix . If they had the right mindset they would monetise themselves

[@exodusdiva2295]

This opens for more opportunity for the Rugby players. I think there could be more exposure for the athletes

[@TheXcercist]

Ardie Savea 🏉👑

[@sibusisomofokeng2883]

I met this guy while working in Sandton, he was with Ardie. Cost me a sale, kept interrupting me 🙃

[@chrismay7227]

Wilko Johnson works for Roc Nation? Thought he passed?

[@splashboy2123]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@OG-HUSTLA]

Everyone needs Serena n Venus Williams dad when dealing w people like Michael

[@cjstryder5441]

If it sounds too good to be true it usually is.

[@lindelwanothandongcobo8863]

Is he still koketso’s man

[@andrewmckeag2025]

It’s great that someone is trying to help rugby players boost their profile and all but the professional game need a whole restructuring. Two clubs in the premiership bust and two more bout to follow suit. We’ll end up with less teams, less games and less money in the global game and only a few rich players and agents left at the end of it all. Maybe it would be better to grow the global game as a whole so we don’t milk it dry first…..

[@mdavidom5903]

Curious, since I don’t follow the premiership too closely...which other two are going under?

[@andrewmckeag2025]

@@mdavidom5903 London Irish and Newcastle are both reportedly at risk after poor results and low fan attendance

[@johnappleseed2558]

Yes indeed it's great for the game but how do you think roc nation is going to contribute in boosting rugby popularity ? Invite roc nation music artists to perform weekly at the super 12? Dj Khaled, jay z? ect... 😆

[@tooxtalivai0690]

These agencies don’t care it’s all about Branding and squeezing $$$$$

[@Gilescowdemdem]

State of these comments and people who have no idea how important it is that rugby gets legitimate worldwide and mainstream attention. That's what these dudes do.

[@njabulothabethe5022]

Man this is why rugby isn't growing this kind of old school traditionalist thinking 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@hellovanite]

Yeah says you... there's a reason why a country of 5mil has been consistently the best and its not this bs

[@njabulothabethe5022]

@@hellovanite what does that have to do with the growth of rugby globally and financially

[@hellovanite]

@@njabulothabethe5022 You don't get it brother I and I don't care. My only and sole interest is in how it affects the sport in my country I could give a rats arse what they do in your bog hole country.

[@njabulothabethe5022]

@@hellovanite I'm guessing your Kiwi😒

[@James-wl3pg]

So cringy

[@craighjonas8833]

Roc Nation making money moves.💰

[@droctagon3k]

"Im working as hard or harder than they are" If he's talking about the players, then no he is not.

[@davisorbelll225]

Wil Jordan surely

[@lukasmilet2028]

This is more than worrying! Watching this does not give any good vibe or feeling at all. Hope i am wrong but i would not at all trust these people!!! Money is for sure tempting but it is not worth to sell your soul.

[@Gilescowdemdem]

How are they selling their soul?

[@michaeladama7788]

Oh please be quiet. These men risk their health playing this sport. Now granted they knowingly decide to do this. I’m all for players getting paid as much as they can whilst they can.

[@renegadeone2058]

@@Gilescowdemdem when U understand this industry then U will know 👍

[@Gilescowdemdem]

@@renegadeone2058 I've literally worked in talent management for 10 years so I'm very familiar

[@bpswank429]

@@Gilescowdemdem lol stop the cap then you obviously been working with Z listers 😂

[@joshuablackburn5770]

Why does the narration always come while the people are talking??? Why can't it just be during the scenes where there's no dialogue? It's no annoying because we want to hear what's being said. If it was not intended for us to hear, than we shouldn't be able to still hear what's being said while the narrator is speaking.

[@jasoncampbell9966]

Get what you can while you can, short career. New Zealand rugby players are under paid.

[@hs4a085]

These guys watch too much Ballers!! Lol

[@markreynolds1112]

this has all these weird hyped up hip hop undertones, jayz dj kahyle etc

[@parkiwi4787]

It's all about the commission, screw the players.

[@archiebobo]

They both get money. What do you expect?

[@Notimportant361]

Cringe

[@coleheketoa]

The All Blacks players are getting ripped off. These managers will ruin the game

[@noahoani7770]

He’s a yank it all about money for him, he doesn’t care about the player

[@hellovanite]

This guy would mean the end of the all blacks

[@usarugbyleagueunionfan]

I'm a Yank and not a fan of this company. I want the game to grow. I just don't want it to turn into the NFL. Yanks will fall in love with the humbleness of Rugby players.

[@mudguts6785]

100% couldnt trust this guy as far as u can throw him. DJ khaled is my guy🤣🤣Good you can have him overweight overrated dj.

[@njabulothabethe5022]

These comments are just disappointing how else is rugby supposed to grow 🙄

[@lukask4498]

Its not about the agent and what to he does. Rugby will need ppl like him. Its about this 9 min jerk fest video. So cringi, we all know that agent is about the money and not about all that fake BS in his speeches. Feels like this was paid by him and his company to promote him self, not about rugby at all.

[@sammacculloch446]

How is this helping exactly??

[@hellovanite]

This is just middlemen creating money for themselves... My only interest is New Zealand domestic rugby and these leeches aren't it

[@philmorris3872]

This is not about growing rugby at all. It is about the monopoly of talent and everything surrounding it including sponsorships, other commercial considerations. Once you have sold your soul, they control you and everything you do. If they tell you to take a knee to Satan...guess what ! And that slime ball phoning Ardie Savea....total cringe. If something smells, it is usually because something stinking is in the room and this is all one big Yank filled stink!

[@andilentobekomadlala5227]

@@sammacculloch446 helping the players prepare for life after the game.

[@kaeso101]

Looking at the comment section..I can tell this is a controversial subject

[@HighBoss]

Bahaha this is like a cheesy soap opera. This agent bloke just oozes greasy snake energy. He probably still does a good job for his players but itd be hard to listen to all the blather during meetings 🤣

[@kiwishamoo6494]

Duplicitous middlemen

[@christianbryant6764]

Greasy businessman

[@albert_Zaiden23]

Players growing bigger than the game itself? Work on growing the interest in the sport before looking at growing players salaries

[@jonwayne7685]

They’re doing that too . Rocnation is actually a consultant to some rugby leagues . I don’t know how they would help though

[@Rayzajw]

Nahhh not DJ Khaled 💀in all seriousness it might be corny but this will be for the betterment of the players.

[@kelsyn21]

this mans boy is DJ khalid, he is the don king of hip hop absolute leech who takes advantage of the music artist.......oohhhh i see lol

[@andrewthegraciouslordrober327]

God, what a bunch of scumbags. They want to "renegotiate" a contract that has already been agreed and signed by both sides? Guess who will profit. Guess whose reputation will suffer?

[@cullyx2913]

👀 👀 jaysus f. Hell

[@wrightyy]

Roc Nation have done as much for rugby as the CVC deal did for the premiership; nothing. They're an agency. They're in it for themselves and themselves alone.

[@ghettotech9617]

uncap rugby so the players get paid what they deserve

[@dariankrieger4813]

Wolf

[@Hondo1126]

Disgusted by this. Just slime from start to finish.

[@Jpwpsl]

Everything rugby doesn't need

[@Lekushitesolitaire]

WTF IS THAT ? This trick maybe work for us atletes but man. Did they think this us vibe of show off will work in rugby space ? 😂😂😂 i cant Wait to see, this flow never work in football in Europe 😂😂😂

[@brianlalor]

So sad to see this world.

[@lo-filivesound1595]

Another Shark 🦈 in the water 💦

[@cptvane3439]

American business man hmm 🤔

[@ChyeahWill]

Why is everyone so negative in the comments? 😂

[@mikestrutter1274]

Why pay these clowns anything? .... "its all about supporting our clients" correction... its all about the money!

[@lga-jm6it]

This is the weirdest most staged video I can recall seeing.

[@mickconners9377]

American capitalism at its worst

[@Wilna6734]

I guarantee you, jayz don't know nothing about rugby

[@35Hoopsfan]

Nothing this dude actually says makes any sense... Its all just superficial BS. No substance to what he says & there is no vision either.

[@weekend_sports]

This video cheesy as hell 😂😂

[@rapid1010]

The guy speaks like a badly written disney movie, all cliches and nothing original.

[@ermannosorricchiodivalfort4905]

nope, thanks

[@roberthaukautai3420]

Now our fellow polys are gonna be selling there souls to the devil

[@bpswank429]

Ardie Savea gonna be the first Polynesian rugby player to join the illuminati

[@kelsyn21]

@@bpswank429 Dwayne been there for a long time, he has become one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood because they(illuminati) allow it. They opened the door for him you don't reach those levels of wealth and fame and not pay a price. plus he rubs shoulders and shakes the hands of men and women on the world political spectrum who are involved in world politics and current world events

[@bpswank429]

@@kelsyn21 rugby player dude

[@markt6743]

Parasites. How can the game afford this?

[@jQuickjQuick]

Sign your souls to the devil

[@rickbarnes6898]

This was terrible. Not what rugby needs

[@tpurr]

Lame

[@hellovanite]

Basically what this is is the end of New Zealand as a force in world rugby. These guys will take players away from the New Zealand game which make no mistake is the foundation of New Zealands success. This is a playing field NZ cannot compete in and so all these contracts will take players away from our game. This will weaken our game. If that's the way it is then that's the way it is. But this will not bode well for the bigger picture of All Black's rugby.

[@rashneelwalla380]

This guy speaks a whole lot of nothingness