Rise to Success: Career Highlights of David Falk

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how David Falk made an impact.

David Falk is a prominent American sports agent, renowned for representing basketball icon Michael Jordan throughout his entire career. He has represented over 100 NBA players and is considered one of the most influential agents in the league's history. During the 1990s, Falk was a powerful figure in the NBA, often regarded as second only to Commissioner David Stern. His influence extended across the league, with clients on almost every NBA team. Falk's impact has earned him recognition, including listings among "The 100 Most Powerful People in Sports" and "Top 50 Marketers in the United States".

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1974: Contacting Donald Dell

In 1974, David Falk pursued Donald Dell of ProServ, eventually working as an unpaid intern.

1975: Full-Time Job at ProServ

In 1975, after graduating from George Washington University Law School, David Falk was offered a full-time job at ProServ for $13,000.

1976: Signing John Lucas

In 1976, David Falk signed John Lucas, the #1 NBA draft pick, as a client while working for ProServ.

1981: Signing Mark Aguirre

In 1981, David Falk signed Mark Aguirre, the #1 NBA draft pick, as a client while working for ProServ.

1982: James Worthy's endorsement deal

In 1982, David Falk negotiated an 8-year, $1.2 million endorsement deal for James Worthy with New Balance.

1982: Negotiating Shoe Deal for James Worthy

In 1982, David Falk negotiated the first million-dollar NBA shoe deal for James Worthy, with New Balance.

1984: Signing Michael Jordan

In 1984, David Falk and Donald Dell signed Michael Jordan, the #3 pick in the NBA draft, to ProServ.

1984: Nike Shoe Deal for Michael Jordan

In 1984, David Falk negotiated the Nike shoe deal for Michael Jordan, a significant deal because of the difficulty of marketing African-American players and Nike's small presence in basketball shoes at the time.

1985: Air Jordan's Success

In 1985, the Air Jordan sneaker earned Nike $130 million, making the $500,000 contract with Jordan one of the best bargains of all time.

1990: Listed Among "100 Most Powerful People in Sports"

In 1990, David Falk was listed among the "100 Most Powerful People in Sports" by The Sporting News. He would maintain this ranking for the next 12 years.

1992: Founding FAME

In 1992, David Falk split with ProServ and Donald Dell to establish his own company, Falk Associates Management Enterprises (FAME).

1993: Selling the Space Jam Concept

In 1993, David Falk conceived the idea of teaming Bugs Bunny and Michael Jordan together in a feature film and sold the concept to Warner Bros.

1995: Influence After Lockout

Even though the decertification attempt failed in 1995, David Falk's influence helped lead to the abandonment of a luxury tax on salaries, and ultimately led to a deal that increased the players' portion of NBA revenues from 52% to 57%.

1995: Named One of the Top 50 Marketers in the United States

In 1995, David Falk was recognized as one of the Top 50 Marketers in the United States by Advertising Age.

1996: Negotiation of six contracts

During a six-day period in the summer of 1996, David Falk negotiated six contracts worth over $335 million for Jordan, Alonzo Mourning, Juwan Howard, Kenny Anderson, Dikembe Mutombo and Lee Mayberry.

1996: Release of Space Jam and Best-Marketed Product

In 1996, the film Space Jam, executive produced by David Falk, was released. Also in 1996, the fragrance "Michael Jordan" by Bijan was cited as the best-marketed product by the American Marketing Association.

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1997: Jordan's Lucrative Deal with Nike

In 1997, Michael Jordan secured a $30 million deal with Nike, continuing the successful endorsement relationship.

October 31, 1998: Falk's Statement in The New York Times

On October 31, 1998, David Falk stated in The New York Times that he would take a more proactive role in ending the NBA lockout.

December 19, 1998: Charity Exhibition Game

On December 19, 1998, David Falk and Arn Tellem organized a charity exhibition game in Atlantic City during the NBA lockout to support financially distressed NBA players.

1998: FAME's Success

By 1998, just prior to its sale, FAME represented six first-round NBA draft picks, negotiated over $400 million in contracts for free-agent clients, and negotiated four of the five largest contracts in team sports history. The contracts of Falk's players totaled almost $800 million.

1998: Peaked on The Sporting News' list

In 1998, David Falk peaked at #14 on The Sporting News' list of the "100 Most Powerful People in Sports."

1998: Sale of FAME to SFX

In 1998, David Falk sold FAME to the entertainment group SFX for $100 million, while remaining the group's president.

1998: Involvement in NBA Lockout

In 1998, Falk's involvement in the NBA lockout led to Mike Lupica dubbing Falk "Rasputin off the bench" in a New York Daily News article. The lockout ended 29 hours before the season's cancellation after the players ratified the deal 179-5.

1998: Michael Jordan's Salary

In 1998, Michael Jordan made $33 million for the season.

1998: Turning Down Endorsement Deals

In 1998, Michael Jordan, represented by David Falk, turned down $300 million worth of endorsement deals in four months, a testament to his success.

1998: Value of Falk's players' contracts

In 1998, just before selling FAME to SFX Entertainment, the contracts of David Falk's players totaled just under $800 million.

1999: Chairmanship at SFX Sports Group Begins

In 1999, David Falk began his Chairmanship at SFX Sports Group. From 1999 to 2001, Falk oversaw the acquisition of a dozen sports agencies that enabled SFX to represent approximately 20 percent of MLB and NBA players.

1999: Peaked on The Sporting News' list

In 1999, David Falk peaked at #14 on The Sporting News' list of the "100 Most Powerful People in Sports."

1999: Forcing the Timberwolves to trade Stephon Marbury

In 1999, Falk influenced the Minnesota Timberwolves to trade Stephon Marbury by threatening that Marbury would leave in free agency and that he would send his free agents to the Chicago Bulls if Marbury wasn't traded. Falk also vetoed a trade involving Kerry Kittles. Ultimately, the Timberwolves traded Marbury to New Jersey in a three-team deal.

1999: SFX Sports Group Formation

In 1999, SFX consolidated 14 private sports representation companies into SFX Sports Group, naming David Falk as Chairman. One of the acquired companies was ProServ.

2000: Client Representation Across the NBA

In 2000, David Falk had at least one client on all but two NBA teams, highlighting his widespread influence in the league.

2000: Influence on Patrick Ewing Trade

In 2000, Falk influenced a mega-deal that moved Knicks All-Star center Patrick Ewing to the Seattle SuperSonics in a four-team trade. Falk threatened to move Glen Rice to the Miami Heat if the Knicks didn't trade Ewing.

2000: SFX Representation in NBA

In 2000, the SFX Sports Group represented 78 NBA players in contract negotiations due to the work of David Falk and Arn Tellem.

2001: Final Year on "100 Most Powerful People in Sports"

2001 marked the final year that David Falk was listed among the "100 Most Powerful People in Sports" by The Sporting News, having been on the list for 12 consecutive years since 1990.

2001: End of Chairmanship at SFX Sports Group

From 1999 to 2001, David Falk served as Chairman at SFX Sports Group.

2001: Stepped down as Chairman of SFX Sports Group

In 2001, David Falk stepped down as Chairman of SFX Sports Group.

2002: SFX Represents One-Third of NBA Players

By 2002, the SFX Sports Group represented approximately one-third of NBA players.

January 2007: Falk Re-launches FAME

In January 2007, David Falk re-launched FAME, where he serves as founder and CEO.

April 23, 2008: Establishment of The David B. Falk Center for Sport Management

On April 23, 2008, Syracuse University established The David B. Falk Center for Sport Management with a $5 million donation from David Falk and his wife Rhonda.

March 24, 2011: Pledge to Syracuse University

On March 24, 2011, David Falk pledged an additional $15 million to Syracuse University to establish the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.

2012: Represents Nine Players

In 2012, David Falk represented nine players, a smaller number compared to the 40 players he represented at the peak of his sports agent career in the 1990s.

2014: Donation to Georgetown University

In 2014, David Falk and Patrick Ewing announced a $3.3 million donation to the John R. Thompson Jr. Intercollegiate Athletics Center at Georgetown University.