Moss
Cook
DiPiero
CHARLESTON -- After parting ways with his Charleston-based agent, NFL star Randy Moss is looking for a new representative.
Media outlets first reported Moss, a Kanawha County native, was planning to represent himself in future negotiations after ending his long business relationship with Tim DiPiero, a Charleston attorney. But on June 1, Moss clarified that he simply is looking for an agent who will help him make the most of marketing opportunities.
"To all the agents out there," Moss, 33, told the Boston Herald. "I am a free man! I am looking for a new agent. I got this football thing under control, but going into my 13th year in the league, I'm still marketable. I'm looking for an agent that's going to get me out there with my marketing ability. I can shoot commercials.
"That's what I'm looking for right now -- that off-the-field money. I really wasn't into commercials, because I wanted to concentrate on one objective, being a better football player year-in and year-out. Now, late in my career, I'm still thinking I have some marketing opportunities out there. I need an agent or agency that's going to get out there and find those business deals off the field."
One prominent NFL agent said Moss has no need to be in a big hurry to hire an agent.
Bus Cook, a native of Man in Logan County, said Moss certainly could do his own negotiating after 13 seasons in the league. But Cook said Moss certainly would be better served with an agent to handle it all.
"He has the knowledge and ability to know his value," Cook said June 1. "And if there is a lockout (for the 2011 season), then that changes the complexion of everything.
"But, Randy is still as good as any receiver in football."
Cook, who represents about 30 NFL players including Brett Favre, said Moss easily could handle his contract talks if he wants to stay with New England and if the Patriots want to retain him. But if Moss is going to another team after the 2010 season, Cook said an agent would be the better option.
"If he wants to fool with it himself, he can do it," said Cook, who is based in Hattiesburg, Miss. "I think he'd better served to have someone to do it for him.
"It's not a good market for anybody out there right now. You don't see nearly the endorsements as you have in the past. Something he might do is just hire a marketing firm at first."
Moss, who is entering the final year of his contract with the New England Patriots, said his decision to drop DiPiero as an agent simply is a business decision, and that he intends to play past the end of the 2010 season. He is scheduled to make $6.4 million in base salary this season.
""I wanted to let fans know, this is my year. I'm going to play the year," Moss told the Herald. "I'm not coming in to start any conflicts or be disgruntled.
"I don't think I'm realistically in the future plans of the Patriots. But if the New England Patriots don't want me in their future, I understand. I'm not mad.
"I have no intention of retiring soon. What I did with firing an agent was, I thought time had run out. There were some things that couldn't be done that needed to be done."