Who Are Disruptive Sports Agency Founders Henry Organ & Hector Rivas?
Courtesy of Disruptive Sports
The Disruptive Sports Agency is a minority-owned NFLPA Certified Sports Agency. The sports agency is owned by up-and-coming sports agent Henry Organ & businessman Hector Rivas.
The duo is looking to shake up the game for minority athletes. They are also looking to set themselves apart from the rest of the field in this highly competitive industry. Henry comes from a background in sports, working for companies such as Nike, while Hector comes from a business background. Hector is the former Founder, CEO of Thriftbooks and EcoGoodz they balance the partnership out with this dynamic.
This past off-season, they made some noise by securing a three-year deal worth $22.5 Million for New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne. They also were able to add Miami Dolphins linebacker Brennan Scarlett to their roster.
Both Organ and Rivas recently sat down with us at The Hype Magazine to discuss some of the roadblocks that they have had to navigate through in their industries. They also shared the background story of how they decided on the name choice of their agency.
The Hype Magazine: You both are the co-founders of the Disruptive Sports Agency. Can you share the backstory of the name choice?
Henry: While in grad school, I had a research project centered around what made Apple, Uber, and Netflix successful. With these newly found powerful companies, there was one common thread: each company focused on disrupting an entire industry. After mulling over 50+ names, Disruptive stuck with me and fit the bill for what we were looking to achieve when launching, something catchy and controversial. We saw an opportunity in the market when we realized the industry had not changed over 20 years. Disruptive is all about creating change by empowering players, something the sports industry is long overdue.
The Hype Magazine: Can you talk about some of the roadblocks you both went through before you started your own agency?
Henry: There were many roadblocks that we overcame when starting our own agency. I think the toughest challenge was starting a sports agency during a pandemic and not knowing if there would even be a football season. It was tough not to meet people in person and create genuine relationships. In addition, more of more top 100 draft picks left school earlier than ever before, which ultimately increased the agency’s overall costs. We also had a salary cap reduction, which caused many outstanding free agents not to get paid.
Courtesy of Disruptive Sports
The Hype Magazine: As of now, you have three pro football players on your roster. Do you plan on expanding into other sports such as basketball and baseball?
Hector: Yes. I think it’s a natural progression to branch out into other sports. For now, however, we are laser-focused on perfecting our business model both on and off the field as it relates to the NFL.
The Hype Magazine: Do you both draw inspiration from agents such as Bill Duffy, Rich Paul, and Aaron Goodwin?
Henry: My inspiration to become an agent comes from three black agents: Aaron Goodwin, Ray Anderson, and Rich Paul. Aaron was the first agent that I knew. He inspired me to become an agent subconsciously without ever even having a conversation with him. I remember seeing Aaron Goodwin pick up his daughter from middle school almost every day in a nice car. His cars fluctuated from Hummer’s to Bentley’s to the latest sports car. When his daughter, who is a long-time friend, finally told me that her dad owned his own sports agency, it really struck a chord with me at the time, even though I did not want to become a sports agent at the time. Owning your own agency in the Bay Area was everywhere around me, which influenced me greatly. I learned simply by seeing how Aaron carried himself and how composed he was, even though I never spoke to him over the phone or in-person until recently. Even from afar, Aaron had a powerful impact on shaping who I am today – he’s direct, organized, and always transparent.
And then there was Ray Anderson. Ray was a pioneer agent for black coaches such as Tony Dungy, Herm Edwards, and Dennis Green. While I was at Nike, my uncle introduced us, and he is one of the most valued mentors that I check in with periodically to make sure I am on the right track to obtaining my goals.
Then you have Rich Paul, whom I am essentially striving to be like. One of the few successful agents of any race that puts himself out in the media for criticism and does disruptive things. Rich Paul doesn’t give a shit what people think, but places more emphasis on his results. He single-handedly exposed an industry that people thought you had to have a law degree to represent a player. Some don’t like it, but I admire it because it has not only inspired me as a black agent, but it has inspired young black men to realize that you can do anything you want to do as long as you set your mind to it and work hard.
Hector: I’m actually coming at this industry from a different perspective (business background instead of a sports background). My focus tends to be on how making the agency run efficiently and scale it effectively. So I’m more concerned with creating systems, hiring the right people, and implementing a winning culture.
The Hype Magazine: When you both work with your clients, what are two of your main goals?
Hector: My first goal is to help strengthen our client’s brand by increasing his exposure in the city he’s playing in through social media and community outreach programs. My second goal is to acquire marketing deals for our athletes with an emphasis on equity compensation. We always stress the importance of building generational wealth to our players, and we achieve this by negotiating deals that include equity compensation and traditional fees.
The Hype Magazine: How many months ahead of the NFL draft is an ideal time frame to approach a potential client?
Henry: I have seen NFL talent as early as middle school and high school, and I have tracked them all the way up to college. I typically don’t approach a potential client until I have checked their background and character with mutual connections.
The Hype Magazine: Where do you see Disruptive Sports Agency in five years?
Hector: In five years, I see Disruptive Sports as a household name known to every athlete who wants to play professionally. I see a sports agency that professional athletes want to be associated with because of its culture, innovative strategies, and player empowerment.
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