Leigh Steinberg has rebuilt his life after alcoholism and debt. He’s one of the most famous agents in American sports and inspiration for Jerry Maguire
Leigh Steinberg is known as the godfather of sports reps, the alpha agent with a dash of Robert Redford. Photo: Getty
When the man known as ‘The Real Jerry Maguire’ appears on a Zoom call from his office in Newport Beach, California, this week, he is surrounded by shiny picture frames and various memorabilia. Leigh Steinberg has worked for five decades as a sports agent, particularly in the NFL and most notably with franchise quarterbacks. He doesn’t need to do celebrity name-dropping; the evidence is all around him.
On his shelf is a picture of him with Barack Obama….