Former NBA All-Stars Tracy McGrady and Jermaine O'Neal have plans to start their own sports agency later this year.
The pair had discussions about launching an agency together over the past two years, but talks have heated up during the coronavirus pandemic.
"We think it's needed, and we have a passion for it," McGrady told Marc Stein of the New York Times. "We're around kids every single day because we have youth programs. It just makes sense. We see the lack of information that these kids are getting, so we would be doing a disservice to our people if we don't lend our expertise of what we know and help guide them. This is a calling that we have."
The agency will be called Seven1 Sports Group and Entertainment as a nod to their jersey numbers. McGrady will serve as co-owner and an adviser to players, while O'Neal plans to become a registered NBA agent with partner status.
"Make no mistake, this is very personal," O'Neal said.
Seven1 Sports Group and Entertainment is expected to open this fall.
