The Major League Baseball Player’s Association is investigating a gift from Jay Z to Robinson Cano. Specifically, they’re investigating whether Jay Z violated the union’s agent regulations. The gift was a $34,000 limited edition watch, the Shawn Carter Classic Fusion.
From ESPN:
"According to media reports and postings on Cano’s Instagram account, Cano received a limited-edition Shawn Carter Classic Fusion watch by Hublot during an Oct. 22 party in conjunction with his 31st birthday. Jay Z, who helped to design the watch, performed in concert in Antwerp, Belgium, the previous night as part of his “Magna Carta Tour.”"
Cano is currently represented by Creative Artists Agency and Roc Nation. Jay Z was certified to represent NBA and MLB players earlier this year and left ownership to get into the sports agent business.
Section 5(B)(5)(a) of the Players Association regulations states: “No Player Agent or Applicant shall provide, cause to be provided 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, the purpose of which is to induce or encourage such player to use or continue to use any person’s or firm’s services as a Player Agent, Representative, or Draft Advisor.”
The watch wasn’t necessarily given to Cano to keep him with Roc Nation, he just joined. At this point though, why does it matter? You think a group of young athletes wouldn’t already be drawn to Jay Z because of his music and celebrity status?