Audie Attar
Audie Attar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1980 (age 43–44) |
| Education | University of California, Los Angeles, Pepperdine University |
| Occupation | Founder of Paradigm Sports Management |
| Children | 2 |
Audie Attar is an Iraqi-American sports manager and founder of Paradigm Sports Management. He is best known for managing Conor McGregor.[1][2]
Early life and education[edit]
In 1980, Attar was born in Baghdad, Iraq. He immigrated to the United States with his parents when he was two years old, settling in Claremont, California.[2][3]
In 1991, Attar was visiting relatives in Iraq when the Gulf War began. He safely returned to the United States.[3]
Attar attended UCLA, majoring in sociology.[4] He once contended for a starting position on the Bruins as a linebacker, but was dismissed from the team after an altercation at a bar in his senior season, which began after a patron made an anti-Islamic remark.[1] He later obtained a master's degree in business administration and a letter in dispute resolution from Pepperdine University.[1]
Career[edit]
After working as an associate for several agencies, in 2009, Attar founded Paradigm Sports Management.[2] Early on, he signed UFC fighters Michael Bisping, Conor McGregor, Chris Weidman and Stephen Thompson as clients.[1][5]
Manny Pacquiao litigation[edit]
In 2020, Attar began representing boxer Manny Pacquiao as part of Paradigm's roster of athletes.[6] Pacquiao was later sued by Attar for breach of contract, alleging that associates of Pacquiao influenced him to return to boxing manager Al Haymon, who signed Pacquiao to fight Errol Spence Jr. for the welterweight title, which violated Paradigm's exclusive rights to promote Pacquiao's fights. At the time, Attar was negotiating for Pacquiao to fight Mikey Garcia. Attar sought to recoup a $3.3 million advance given to Pacquiao and requested an injunction to stop the fight.[7][8] The injunction was denied.[9] Paradigm took on on $20 million in damages as a result of the contractual breach.[8] The court ruled in favor of Paradigm, ordering Pacquiao to pay $5.1 million to the company. The total amount of the judgment was $3.3 million in actual damages, recouping the advance paid to Pacquiao by Paradigm, as well as $1.8 million in punitive damages.[10]
Personal life[edit]
Los Angeles Times described Attar as "an avowed Muslim who abhors violence".[3] He is married and has two daughters.[2]
Attar's brother, Eddie, was murdered when Attar was a sophomore at Claremont High School. In his memory, Attar had Eddie's name tattooed on his shoulder in Arabic.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Pugmire, Lance (8 November 2016). "Audie Attar, MMA fighter Conor McGregor's agent, is thriving along with his client". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ a b c d Hannigan, Dave (19 July 2017). "Meet the Iraqi-American behind Conor McGregor's success". The Irish Times.
- ^ a b c d Henson, Steve (20 September 2001). "Pride and Prejudice". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "Audie Attar '04 - UCLA Alumni". 24 March 2023.
- ^ Bohn, Mike (6 October 2022). "CEO Audie Attar details Paradigm Sports' approach to managing MMA fighters 'with a level of integrity'". USA Today.
- ^ Dawson, Alan (12 February 2020). "Manny Pacquiao has signed with Paradigm SM, an agency which also represents Conor McGregor". Business Insider.
- ^ Pugmire, Lance (26 June 2021). "Manny Pacquiao faces lawsuit saying he veered from Mikey Garcia for Errol Spence". The Athletic.
- ^ a b Atkin, Nicolas (26 January 2023). "Manny Pacquiao is warned 'justice will be served' by Conor McGregor's manager ahead of trial". South China Morning Post.
- ^ Coppinger, Mike (5 August 2021). "Court denies injunction to keep Manny Pacquiao from fighting Errol Spence". ESPN.
- ^ Iole, Kevin (3 May 2023). "Paradigm Sports Management wins $5.1M judgment against Manny Pacquiao; appeal expected". Yahoo! Sports.
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