The importance of proper athlete management cannot be overstated. Athletes with strong management teams are better positioned to succeed on and off the field and more likely to achieve their full potential. In addition, by providing expert guidance and support, athlete managers play a critical role in helping athletes achieve their goals and build successful careers.
Founded in 2018, Maxx MGMT is a full-service sports marketing agency focusing on business management, endorsements, marketing, and public relations for athletes. The brainchild of Maxx Lepselter, a sports marketing industry veteran, Maxx MGMT has quickly made a name for itself as one of the most elite agencies in the industry.
Maxx Lepselter has always had a passion for sports and business. He was exposed to the industry as early as the third grade, watching his father, Mark Lepselter, represent former NFL superstars Tiki and Ronde Barber during their playing careers. As a result, Maxx had always dreamt of becoming a sports agent and launched Maxx MGMT after several years in the industry.
Maxx MGMT has a team of experienced professionals who have cultivated relationships with over 800+ brands and companies. With a diverse team spanning across the country, Maxx has become a platform for launching client interest projects. As a result, the business has grown, and so has the consensus of trust amongst clientele, opening the door to lifestyle management, post-career business ventures, and public relations in accordance with the Maxx-level service clients have come to expect.
Maxx MGMT represents 40+ current and retired athletes, including legends and hall of Famers. Most Maxx clients are exclusively signed and are joined by NFL All-Pros Trevon Diggs, Justin Simmons, and James Bradberry, to name a few. In addition, the agency is proud of its strategic relationships and execution of athlete endorsements and management.
The agency has been responsible for several high-profile brand partnerships and client endorsements. These include Terrell Owens’ 81 Vino in collaboration with LaSorda Wines, Trenchmade Gaming by Marquez Valdez Scantling, Donovan McNabb and TRNDY Social Partnership and Jaylon Johnson for SpeedeFit.
In addition, Maxx MGMT has also represented multiple corporate entities for grand projects such as Fanduel and DraftKings interactive events, as well as spearheaded Six Star Pro Nutrition’s affiliate marketing program.
Maxx MGMT elevates itself above industry standards through strategic alignment for opportunities and individuals that reach beyond typical marketing and endorsements. The agency has marketing and business management crossovers in other verticals, including athletes’ non-sports lives off the field. Maxx MGMT has also facilitated real estate projects and helped athletes and the agency acquire equity positions in other businesses.
Maxx MGMT has overcome obstacles as a small business and the industry opposition to remain one. One of the biggest challenges has been hiring the right staff for a small company to maximize efficiency. Additionally, the agency has had to compete with 3-letter corporate agencies while being a boutique firm to set itself apart. Another challenge has been managing expectations of talent when talent has been misled by previous representation.
However, Maxx MGMT has overcome these challenges and has become one of the top sports marketing agencies in the industry. The agency’s mission is to empower athletes by leveraging their unique talents, personal stories, and experiences to build their personal brand and create meaningful connections.
Ben Mendlen, Head of Business Development & Athlete Marketing at Maxx MGMT, is a prime example of the company’s dedication to developing its staff. Mendlen has been with the company since its inception and has helped develop the business from the ground up, creating hundreds of thousands of dollars of brand partnerships for Maxx MGMT clientele. Growing up a huge sports enthusiast and playing baseball his entire life, including club baseball at Michigan State University, Ben always knew he would gravitate towards the sports industry and, post graduating from MSU, tapped into his network and was the right time right place type of opportunity with Maxx and haven’t looked back since.
Maxx MGMT is the dream team for athletes, as once they come on board an athlete’s journey, dreams turn into reality. The agency’s unique opportunities and individuals it is able to introduce outside of standard marketing/endorsements distinguish them from other agencies. Maxx MGMT prides itself on strategic relationships and execution of athlete endorsements & management, and it continues to thrive at the nexus.
