CSM acquires cricket talent group Phoenix

Global integrated marketing agency, CSM Sport & Entertainment (CSM), has formally acquired Phoenix Management Group, England’s leading cricket talent management business.

Set up in 2018 by former professional cricketer, Neil Fairbrother, Phoenix manages some of the biggest names in English cricket such as Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Stuart Broad, Liam Livingstone, Nat Sciver and current Men’s Test captain Ben Stokes. Phoenix also looks after several ex-players and media personalities including Isa Guha, David Lloyd and Michael Vaughan.

Already established as the number one agency for athlete representation in rugby, the acquisition further bolsters CSM’s talent offering and will create the undisputed market leader in English cricket. Phoenix’s players and personalities join CSM’s existing cricket clients, which include Jonny Bairstow, Ollie Pope, Reece Topley and Matthew Potts.

Matt Vandrau, Group CEO at CSM, said: “We are delighted to have brought Phoenix Management Group into the CSM business. Having played cricket with and against Neil in the 90’s, I know first-hand how driven and committed he is. It’s little surprise he went on to build such a successful talent management agency. Neil’s expertise, coupled with our own experience in this space, positions us collectively as the undisputed market leaders within English cricket both commercially and from a talent management perspective. We look forward to working with Neil and his team.”

Neil Fairbrother, Founder of Phoenix Management Group, said: “Everyone here at Phoenix is excited by the prospect of working closely with CSM. As an established global agency, operating across the full spectrum of sport and entertainment, we feel they can help elevate our business to a new level. We can’t wait to get going and look forward to what’s in store for the whole Phoenix family in the months and years ahead.”