"This is the most substantial partner I've had to date and it means a great deal to me personally," Kors said. "The JMG vision has always been to create a full service sports management organization. This partnership brings much needed experience, credibility, and a vast network of resources to call upon."
Prominent sports agent and attorney Leigh Steinberg has joined forces with Southern California-based marketing company Jockeys Management Group in trying to acquire advertising and sponsorship deals for jockeys.Steinberg, who has represented such athletes as Troy Aikman, Steve Young, Warren Moon, Ricky Williams, and Lennox Lewis, said his company and JMG, which was founded by former National Football League defensive back R.J. Kors, will work to secure endorsements for jockeys, including corporate logos that would be worn in races."R.J. Kors has been an innovative and courageous fighter for the betterment of jockeys," Steinberg said in a press release. "We intent to contact industry leaders and existing sponsors to create more opportunities for jockeys." Kors founded JMG in 2002 after the California Horse Racing Board gave the go-ahead to allow jockey advertising in races. In the week leading up to this year's Kentucky Derby (gr. I), a judge granted an injunction allowing Derby jockeys to wear advertising. The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority followed by suspending the rule entirely."We applaud those who took the initiative to the courts to open the door and we anticipate this will be the precedent for other states to come," Kors said.Steinberg has negotiated more than $2 billion in sports' contracts, according to Leigh Steinberg Enterprises. He is the author of Winning with Integrity and was the technical advisor for Jerry Maguire.