Jonathan Perzley
Jonathan Perzley | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 2, 1984 Ridgewood, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Occupation | Sports agent |
| Spouse | Audrey Esparza |
Jonathan Perzley is an American sports agent and partner at Sportstars, Inc., known for representing professional football players in the National Football League (NFL). He has been an NFLPA-certified contract advisor since 2007.
Early life and education
Perzley was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey, and attended Fair Lawn High School, where he competed in tennis and was nationally ranked as a junior.[1]
He later attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, earning both his bachelor's and master's degrees.[2] While at UF, he initially majored in architecture before switching to sports management, drawing on his athletic background.[2]
As a student, he interned with CarrSports Consulting, founded by former UF athletic director Bill Carr, an experience that helped lead him to his later role at Sportstars.[2]
Career
Perzley became an NFLPA-certified contract advisor in 2007, signing his first client, D'Qwell Jackson out of the University of Maryland.[3]
He later joined Sportstars, Inc., where he has represented numerous NFL players, including many from the University of Florida.[4] Over time, he became known for signing a large number of UF athletes, leading some outlets to describe a "pipeline" between the school and his agency.[5]
In September 2025, Perzley helped facilitate defensive back Kaiir Elam's trade to the Dallas Cowboys after the player sought more opportunities following limited playing time with the Buffalo Bills.[2]
By 2025, he represented 56 NFL players, accounting for more than 3% of the league.[2]
Reception
Reporting from The Independent Florida Alligator has described specific instances in which Perzley assisted clients outside the formal scope of contract work.[2] The outlet noted that he accompanied linebacker Alex Anzalone during part of Anzalone’s post-surgery recovery in Colorado, based on Anzalone’s account in the article.[2] The same reporting stated that Perzley has at times assisted other clients with travel, logistics, or medical-related arrangements.[2]
Personal life
Perzley is married to actress Audrey Esparza. They reside in New York City and have one son.[6]
Notable current clients
According to Spotrac, Perzley actively represents several NFL players, including:
- Alex Anzalone (Detroit Lions)[7]
- Jonathan Bullard (New Orleans Saints)[8]
- Josh Hayes (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)[9]
- Shemar James (Dallas Cowboys)[10]
- Cam Little (Jacksonville Jaguars)[11]
- Evan McPherson (Cincinnati Bengals)[12]
- Kaevon Merriweather (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)[13]
- Jaylon Moore (Kansas City Chiefs)[14]
- Malik Washington (Miami Dolphins)[15]
Former notable clients
Perzley has also represented a number of NFL players earlier in his career, including:
- Taven Bryan (Jacksonville Jaguars)[16]
- Tamba Hali (Kansas City Chiefs)[1]
- D.J. Humphries (Arizona Cardinals)[17]
- D'Qwell Jackson (Cleveland Browns / Indianapolis Colts)[18]
- A.J. Jenkins (San Francisco 49ers / Kansas City Chiefs)[19]
- Matthew Judon (Baltimore Ravens / New England Patriots)[20]
- Christian Kirksey (Cleveland Browns / Green Bay Packers)[21]
- Juan Thornhill (Kansas City Chiefs)[22]
References
- ^ a b Maag, Christopher. "The hurly-burly life of an NFL players' agent". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Top NFL agent finds his niche in signing former Gators". The Independent Florida Alligator. September 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "D'Qwell Jackson". Spotrac. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ "Sportstars' Jonathan Perzley & Brian Mackler Add Three Florida Gators for 2016 NFL Draft". SportsAgentBlog. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ "Top NFL agent finds his niche in signing former Gators". The Independent Florida Alligator. September 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ Blair, Caroline (August 19, 2025). "Where the 'Blindspot' cast is now – including Audrey Esparza". AOL. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ "Alex Anzalone". Spotrac. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "Jonathan Bullard". Spotrac. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "Josh Hayes". Spotrac. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "Shemar James". Spotrac. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "Cam Little". Spotrac. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "Evan McPherson". Spotrac. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "Kaevon Merriweather". Spotrac. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "Jaylon Moore". Spotrac. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "Malik Washington". Spotrac. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "Taven Bryan". Spotrac. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "D.J. Humphries". Spotrac. February 17, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "D'Qwell Jackson". Spotrac. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ Ganguli, Tania (April 16, 2012). "Jacksonville's A.J. Jenkins is running down his NFL dream". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "Matt Judon". Spotrac. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "Christian Kirksey's Workout Mentality". Muscle & Fitness. September 5, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "Juan Thornhill". Spotrac. Retrieved November 7, 2025.