Spartan Profiles: Molly Fletcher

SPORTS AGENT

            In the movie Jerry McGuire (1996), Tom Cruise plays a sports agent who is fired for making a moral choice to tell the truth.  Is the sports agency business such an ethical struggle?  The answer is clearly “no,” according to rising star Molly (West) Fletcher, ’93, the senior vice president for client representation with Career Sports & Entertainment, Atlanta, GA. 

            A former captain of MSU’s women’s tennis team, Fletcher has blazed a trail for women in the industry.  Not only does her agency boast many high-profile clients—such as Isiah Thomas, John Smoltz, Doc Rivers, Chip Caray and Ernie Johnson—but she also has brought innovation, spearheading new divisions in her company for golfers, college coaches and broadcasters.   “Jerry McGuire was exaggerated,” says Fletcher.  “We have great relationships with our clients and their families.  We handle all marketing, negotiate their contracts and handle all PR needs.  We basically quarterback our clients’ lives off the field.” 

            Thanks partly to Molly’s initiatives, her company boasts more than 200 clients, including baseball players, PGA pros, coaches, broadcasters and Fortune 500 corporations.  She has helped negotiate more than $1 billion in contracts, while she and her husband Fred have recently had three kids in 13 months—Emma, 2, and twin girls Meg and Kate, 1. 

            A native of East Lansing, Molly credits her parents and her experience at MSU with her current success.  “My parents are incredible people,” she explains.  “They gave me every tool to be successful, and most of what they taught me was by example.  I cherish them.”  She adds that having been a student-athlete was an advantage.  “You have to learn how to solve problems and distinguish yourself from the masses, which is what life is about,” she explains.  “I was very competitive as an athlete and that translates well into this business.”