Travis Hunter recently signed a record-breaking rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, becoming the first non-quarterback not drafted first overall to receive his entire signing bonus upfront.
The $46.65 million deal includes a staggering $30.57 million signing bonus paid entirely upfront. But behind the scenes, rap icon Lil Wayne played a surprising role.
How Young Money APAA Helped Hunter
Just a few months ago, Travis Hunter signed with Young Money APAA Sports, and that decision quickly paid off.
Hunter was one of the most sought-after prospects in the 2025 draft, not just among teams but also among multiple top sports agencies (Athletes First, Klutch Sports Group, WME, and CAA), who were vying for his signature. Ultimately, Travis Hunter made his decision to sign with Young Money APAA Sports.
When he was selected as a top 5 pick, the agency went to work. Led by Adie von Gontard and Ray Haija, Young Money APAA negotiated a blockbuster rookie deal: four years, $46.65 million, fully guaranteed, and a $30.57 million signing bonus paid entirely upfront.
According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, this makes Hunter the first non-quarterback not picked first overall to receive his full signing bonus upon signing. The deal not only broke records but cemented Young Money APAA’s growing influence in pro sports negotiations.
How Lil Wayne Played a Part
A Packers superfan himself, Lil Wayne, has always been a passionate sports fan, and in 2017, he found a way to turn that passion into something more hands-on. While he didn’t have the time to become a certified agent himself, he took a different route, launching a full-fledged sports agency.
That year, his brand Young Money merged with APAA Sports, forming Young Money APAA Sports. Under this new banner, a team of licensed agents would work on behalf of athletes, while Lil Wayne took the position of the agency’s strategic figurehead.
Since its inception, Young Money APAA Sports has grown into a powerhouse, offering players more than just contract negotiations. The agency helps clients secure equity, ownership opportunities, and long-term brand-building strategies.
With divisions in the NFL, NBA, soccer, and college sports, they’ve had players drafted in every round of both the NBA and NFL drafts. Agents like Adie von Gontard and Ray Haija operate under the Young Money umbrella, directly representing athletes like Travis Hunter.
And for someone who has been following Travis Hunter’s growth trajectory, knows how much of an influence Lil Wayne has been on the young gun. The five-time Grammy Award winner was also in Travis’ entourage at the Heisman ceremony with Coach Prime and Travis’ family members.
It’s safe to say that Lil Wayne helped Travis sign with his company, Young Money APAA Sports, and also helped him team up with the top agents to negotiate his contract.
Agents Behind Hunter’s Contract
The groundbreaking rookie deal that Travis Hunter secured with the Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t happen by chance. It was the result of sharp negotiation and leadership by Adie von Gontard and Ray Haija.
Adie von Gontard, the CEO and Co-Founder of Young Money APAA Sports, has deep roots in the sports world. His grandfather, August Busch Jr., was President and CEO of Anheuser-Busch and owner of the St. Louis Cardinals for over three decades.
Adie holds a double major in Real Estate/Finance and Sports Management from Southern Methodist University and started his career in sports marketing. He became known for transforming how athletes build wealth, not just through contracts and endorsements, but by securing equity and ownership stakes in companies.
He founded APAA Sports, which merged with Young Money in 2017, creating a powerful agency that has since negotiated over a billion dollars in deals. He’s also the brother of Peter von Gontard, a part-owner of YMAPAA.
Working alongside him is Ray Haija, Executive Vice President of Football Operations and an NFL Certified Agent. Ray brings over a decade of experience in contract negotiation, endorsements, and player legal representation.
His academic resume is unmatched. He boasts a PhD from Virginia Tech, a Master’s from Harvard, an MBA from Roehampton London, and a Bachelor’s from Colorado State University. With a background in academia, private equity, and the tech world, Ray brings a high-level strategic edge to every negotiation, something clearly reflected in Travis Hunter’s historic contract.
With this record-setting deal, Travis Hunter’s partnership with Young Money APAA Sports and the mentorship of Lil Wayne has officially changed the game for rookie athletes entering the NFL.
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