🏆 Inside Raymond Representation: The Home of the Athlete Creator

Michael Raymond is the Founder of Raymond Representation, a boutique agency built around what he calls “the home of the athlete creator.” He represents a mix of professional athletes, college athletes, and creator-driven talent, helping them secure brand partnerships, build their platforms, and think more like entrepreneurs. What started during law school has quickly grown into an agency working with exclusive talent, non-exclusive partners, and brands across sports, lifestyle, and culture.

Built on Relationships

Michael knew early what he wanted. “I always wanted to be a sports agent,” he said. “It was either the NBA or being an agent, that was always the plan.” But the path into the business was anything but straightforward. At the University of Central Florida (UCF), he immersed himself in the sports management world and made a point to get close to the people who could open doors. “I knew I had to make sure they knew who I was and that I could work with them as much as possible,” he said of his mentors, Scott Bukstein and Dr. Keith Harrison.

That approach turned into action. Internships with Orlando City Soccer, the Orlando Magic, UCF basketball, and UCF athletics followed. More importantly, it built a foundation rooted in relationships and consistency, not shortcuts. Even then, he began to realize the traditional team-side route was not the long-term fit. For Michael, Miami Law was the goal, not just for the degree, but for the environment. “It wasn’t about being a lawyer,” he said. “It was about being in the best city possible for sport and entertainment opportunities.”

Getting there was a grind. He took the LSAT five times. “I got my butt kicked by it,” he said. “I was a terrible test taker.” But quitting was never an option. He leaned on persistence, relationships, and an underlying belief that if he kept showing up, something would break his way. That mindset, gritty, relentless, and willing to outwork the room, became the foundation of everything that followed.

Building an Agency

Michael originally planned to join a major agency, learn the business, and eventually build something of his own. Then COVID hit, and everything accelerated. Two athletes in his circle approached him with the same idea: get certified and represent them. What was once a long-term vision became a real-time opportunity. “I thought I’d take the traditional route,” he said. “Next thing I know, I’m doing it on my own.”

The early days were far from glamorous. He represented players overseas, in the G League, and on the edge of the NBA. The financial reality was brutal. “I didn’t make any money at all,” he said. “I was actually losing money for the first six or seven months.” But he kept going. Then came the shift. Clifford Taylor reached out for help monetizing his platform, and Michael started closing small brand deals. “At the time, making 500 to 1,000 dollars a deal, I thought we made it,” he said. But more importantly, he saw the math. “You can make 20% on a marketing deal versus 4% on a contract.” That realization changed everything. Combined with early work with creator talent like AJ Green, Michael started to see where the industry was heading. Then NIL hit, and everything compounded. “That was really the start of the rocket ship,” he said. “Timing played a role, but I had already been building for years.”

Betting on the Athlete Creator

Michael’s business is built around a simple but powerful idea: not every athlete wants to build a brand, but the ones who do are massively valuable. “We focus on athletes who want to be in front of the camera, work with brands, and become entrepreneurs,” he said. “That’s why I call it the home of the athlete creator.”

That clarity has shaped everything. Raymond Representation has intentionally stayed boutique, prioritizing depth over volume. “There’s a reason we have under 50 clients and I want to keep it that way,” he said. “We want to be locked in like a family.” He is just as selective about mindset as he is about marketability. “I don’t want lazy people,” he said. “I want people who are working on themselves every single day.” For Michael, the best clients are not starting from zero, they already have momentum. “The fire is already there,” he said. “We just bring the gasoline and pour it on.”

His Why

For all the deals, events, and growth, Michael says his proudest accomplishment is not a campaign, it is the team he has built. “My number one accomplishment is the team,” he said. “Seeing them grow, close deals, and become leaders, that’s everything.” And he is not slowing down. “I’m more excited now than I’ve ever been,” he said. “I think 2026 will be the best year ever for Raymond Rep, and honestly, one of the biggest years in sports overall.”

If he could go back and tell his younger self one thing, it would be simple: “Be ready to fail a lot,” he said. “Every failure is building you into who you need to become.” Michael did not follow a blueprint. He built one through long days, no money, constant rejection, and a willingness to keep showing up anyway. Now, he is scaling it with the same edge that got him here in the first place: a belief that opportunity is earned, and if you are willing to outwork everyone in the room, you can go take it.