- Barnett, 74, was named the most powerful sports agent in the world by Forbes
- His Stellar Group, founded in 1992, was sold to Hollywood agency ICM.
- Is Kevin De Bruyne’s confidence churlish or should we defend the self-confidence of the world’s best? Podcast Everything is beginning
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Prominent British football agent Jonathan Barnett is reportedly set to retire after a family loss.
Barnett, 74, was once named the most powerful sports agent in the world by Forbes and represented stars including Gareth Bale and Jack Grealish.
The Stellar Group he founded in 1992 with David Manasseh was sold to top Hollywood talent agency ICM Partners in 2020.
Barnett’s biggest deal was Welsh star Bale’s then world-record £85m deal from Tottenham to Real Madrid in 2013.
According mirror, Barnett decided to retire after a family loss left him contemplating his future.
Renowned agent Jonathan Barnett is reportedly retiring after suffering a family loss.
Barnett negotiated Gareth Bale’s then world-record £85m deal to Real Madrid in 2013
Your browser does not support iframes.
Barnett defended Bale from criticism from the Spanish media when his Real Madrid career collapsed.
The newspaper Marca described the winger as a ‘parasite’ who ‘sucked the club’s money’ in 2022 despite winning 14 trophies during his time at the Bernabéu.
He said at the time: “Bale deserves a great farewell from the club.” He speaks Spanish. What happens is that people who don’t know him say he doesn’t.
‘Stupid, ignorant people who haven’t talked to him. It is a pity.
“He has always been very happy in Madrid, he arrived when he was young, his children were born in the city, he has donated a lot of money to Spanish hospitals for Covid and he loves the city and the club.
‘I think the parasites are the ones who speak ill of him.’
Last month, Barnett joined Brentford and the Premier League in condemning racist online abuse directed at Brentford striker and his client Ivan Toney.
Barnett said: “I unequivocally condemn the racist abuse our player Ivan Toney has been subjected to on social media.
Bale was welcomed to Real Madrid by its president Florentino Pérez in 2013.
‘Everyone at ICM Stellar is shocked that this type of vile and unconscionable behavior is still prevalent in today’s society.
‘Sadly, this is not the first time Ivan has received racist abuse online and social media can no longer ignore a widespread and recurring problem on their platforms.
‘We call on all forms of social media to do more to prevent, address and combat unacceptable and distressing incidents of discrimination like this.
‘My team will carry out an investigation and pass on any findings to the relevant authorities; We will not be mere spectators.
‘Some time ago I personally established a diversity and inclusion department in our agency and, under the leadership of Pokuaa Ansere, we have taken considerable measures against all forms of discrimination.
‘We continue this fight and will never give in to prejudice, intolerance or hatred.
Barnett recently condemned racist online abuse sent to Brentford striker and client Ivan Toney.
‘We now call on all clubs, institutions, partner agencies and governing bodies to join us and send a clear message that we are united against racist, discriminatory or unacceptable levels of abuse.
‘I personally support Ivan, his family and friends, as well as anyone else who has been subject to discrimination.
“We implore the world of football to kick him out once and for all.”
