High Style Meets Rising Star

When I met up with Maurice Johnson on a recent trip to New York City, the 28-year-old was in the midst of a somewhat busy day. Of course, as he’s a sports agent in the mecca of sports, finding a day that wasn’t hectic would have been nearly impossible. Especially for a young man who is still trying to earn his stripes.

However, Johnson found the time and chose as our meeting place: At The Wallace, a small, comfy little West Harlem speakeasy that filled up quickly as the rain drizzled down.

Despite the April showers and overcast skies, I had expected Johnson to show up decked out in an Armani or Brooks Brothers outfit like sports agents in movies or television shows. Instead, he appeared in a pair of jeans, a gray Nike hoodie and a black fitted baseball cap. He must have sensed it was not the look I had envisioned, and explained: He is decked out in a suit so often that in his downtime he is strictly casual. When he is working, he’s always in impeccable business attire. Because in the world of the sports agent, making an impression is everything.

Dressed for Success

“I look pretty young. I pretty much look my age,” Johnson says. “So what I do to try and combat that; I usually try to dress to the Ts. I really try to dress up. I am always in a suit when I’m attending games, while bringing clients to dinner. I usually try to dress at a higher level than what is necessary, sometimes just to combat my age and show that professionalism. Kind of quells some of those doubts that people may have on a first impression.”

Though he has yet to reach the age of 30, Johnson knows his style and what he likes. On big occasions when he is trying to send the boldest message, you’ll find him in a beautifully tailored blue Hugo Boss suit, with brown shoes and a brown belt. Throw on his signature accessory, an Armani, Versace or Burberry timepiece, and Johnson is ready to go.

In a day and age when more men are deleting the suit from their wardrobe altogether, Johnson sees it as essential. Whether walking into a house to convince a family their kid needs to sign with him or staring down general managers while negotiating contracts, his outfit sends a message.

“I am a pretty big traditionalist,” Johnson says. “I think of myself as an old soul. I get that from my grandpa. I am a pretty big suit guy and I like the old-fashioned look of suits and the classic look of them. I will probably always be in a suit, honestly.”

Finding a Path

Seven years ago, wearing a suit to work every day might have felt out of place. Johnson had just graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in sports journalism, and had designs on eventually becoming a beat writer.

However, while working on his law degree at the University of Oklahoma, he did an internship with the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was in that environment that he began envisioning a new career path.

“The sports agent thing didn’t come along until later. It had always been a thought,” Johnson says. “Once I got my internship with the Thunder, a lot of things started to open up through their basketball operations department.”

When Johnson graduated from law school in 2018, he said he had some opportunities to go work for a couple of NBA teams. But by then, he no longer had the same desire to be in the front office.

Johnson already knew a family friend, Keith Moss, who was a longtime sports agent, so he set up a meeting to learn more about the ins and outs of the business. Johnson was already intrigued by the idea of becoming an agent before he initiated the conversation with Moss, who would go on to become his mentor.

“I was always interested in the collective bargaining agreement,” Johnson says. “It was something I really got into during law school. I was always intrigued with general managers, how trades are operated and how the salary cap operated. Through law school, the agent road felt like a natural fit.”

Johnson was hooked. He soon moved to New York City to begin his career as a sports agent. Less than a year later, he found himself in Africa searching for hidden basketball gems on the back streets of Dakar, Senegal.

“The concept of it [was] that as an agent it’s competitive to start in America. There are, obviously there are, a lot of different agents,” Johnson says. “It’s hard getting kids when they are a lot older at that point. One of the concepts was using my mentor’s network out there. Really building from the ground up.”

Johnson describes his four-week stay in Africa as crazy and life-changing. From watching Muslims wash goats at the end of the month for the start of Ramadan to seeing residents take the little resources they had and develop them into something functional stood out to him. As did the love of basketball the country has.

“We did a lot of court-hopping in the ghettos and streets of Dakar,” Johnson says. “We went from neighborhood to neighborhood in not the best environments. A lot of poverty-stricken areas. We talked to a lot of people and spoke with a lot of different families. From there, I built a lot of different connections and got close with the NBA Africa league.”

Lofty Goals

Johnson looks back on his time in Africa as the main reason he has made big strides early in his career. Some of his highlights include putting together a NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deal with Reebok for one of his collegiate clients and having a young man drafted to the NBA's G-League team.

His biggest move yet came early in 2022, when he joined with two veteran agents to form the Pacific Northwest Sports Group. His partners include his mentor, Keith Moss, who is the director of basketball operations, and Aman Dhesi, who is the company’s president.

Johnson is the youngest member of the trio by close to 10 years. But that hasn’t kept him from dreaming big and setting a high bar for what he wants.

“I’m still kind of a baby in the industry. I have so much to learn; I like to think I am just scratching the surface. I am looking forward to seeing where I’m at when I am 35," Johnson says. "I see us being a pretty big force in the industry. Being one of the leading agencies​​ — not just in basketball, but baseball and football as well.

“I want to see how big we can grow this company. I want to compete with the Clutch Sports of the world. The CAA (Creative Artists Agency) of the world. In 15 years, I not only hope we are at their level, but God willing, beating them and setting the way in this new landscape and new generation. Forging our own path.”