Rimas Sports, a sports agency launched in April 2023 by Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny, is facing discipline from the MLBPA. According to Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic. The exact violations committed by Rimas Sports are unknown. As a result, the agency is facing a “significant punishment,” including the revocation of at least one license. Rimas Sports launched as part of a partnership with Rimas Entertainment, and it features Bad Bunny, Rimas Entertainment executive Noah Assas and president Jonathan Miranda. In addition to this, baseball Hall of catcher, Iván Rodríguez is also part of the agency as a sports ambassador.
Bad Bunny is a multiple-grammy Award-winning artist who is a baseball fan, playing in the 2022 MLB All-Star Celebrity Softball Game. In a statement announcing their launch, Assad said:
“In the music world, we accomplished success by knowing how to develop talent, helping our clients reach their vision by catering to their unique needs. This new venture is an expansion of that mission as we aim to bring greater representation to the Latin community in the world of sports,”
Rimas Sports is in Hot Water
The agency has quite of few clients who are young Latin American baseball players. Bringing in the likes of New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez, Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, Cincinnati Reds infielder Santiago Espinal, Mets infield prospect Ronny Mauricio and Los Angeles Dodgers catching prospect Diego Cartaya. Ghiroli noted that players impacted by the sanctions have been informed by the MLBPA. Rimas has been the subject of multiple complaints from other agencies to the Players Association. They oversee any agent certification for the major and minor leagues. Some of the complaints mentioned multiple employees acting as agents with no certification, sources say.
Rimas is believed to have two certified agents and other employees who were seeking to obtain agent status are now expected to be denied. William Arroyo, the main baseball agent in the agency, had his certification revoked.
The MLBPA Informed Arroyo’s Clients
Rimas Sports has released a statement about the investigation.
“At Rimas Sports, we uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity of our industry. Out of respect for an ongoing process within the context of the MLBPA Agent Regulations, we will refrain from making any comments at this time. We remain committed to continue serving our clients with excellence.”
In light of the situation, Arroyo and Rimas Sports have the right to appeal. He has yet to decide if he will challenge it. The MLBPA received evidence they offered players cash and gifts to switch agencies. The union’s agent regulations state that no agent “Shall provide, cause to provide or promise to provide any money. Or any other thing of value to any player, or any person related to or associated with such player,”
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