Roc Nation Sports, the sports-focused division of Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter’s Roc Nation, has hired former New York Mets general manager and CAA agent Brodie Van Wagenen to serve as COO and head of strategy and business development.
No word yet on whether or not Robinson Cano was signed to a multi-album deal.
Van Wagenen is perhaps best known for bringing the Mets a New Culture, one of sustained excellence. At the time, February 2019 to be exact-is, someone known as “Former Writer” (that’s the actual byline) had this to say on the Metsmerized Blog. The bold is mine.
Van Wagenen’s Culture Change is Very Prevalent in Mets Camp
We hear the word culture change so frequently in our business that it sometimes is misconstrued and used to define so many things. But in the case of the New York Mets, it perfectly defines the tone and atmosphere I’ve seen in Port St. Lucie in every workout that I have witnessed.
Jeff Wilpon’s choice to hire Brodie Van Wagenen was viewed differently in many circles of the media, but my view was very simple–don’t tell me something can’t work till you see it in action. Watching Brodie the past few months, I can tell you that not only was he the right hire–but EVERY company needs leadership like this. He possesses all the things that breed success–talent, ability to listen, accountability, and no fear.
..
Brodie Van Wagenen is the right guy at the right time, and baseball is no different than the game of life — timing is everything and the Mets will prove that in 2019.
I think all Mets fans, especially Metsmerized Readers, look back fondly on that 2019 season, and the entire Van Wagenen era, as one of excellence, and the genesis of the New Culture that led to two years without playoffs.
