Former NRL star Braith Anasta now an accredited player manager
Braith Anasta knows what it takes to be an elite NRL player – and what modern stars need in support. Which is why the game’s newest accredited player manager will be doing things his own way.
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Last week it was Gus Gould and now Fox Sports star Braith Anasta has been granted his accreditation by the NRL to become a player manager.
He insists being a player manager will not be a conflict of interests or interfere with his TV commentary work.
“I love my job at Fox Sports and I’m not going to jeopardise it for anything,” Anasta says.
“Anyone who’s heard me on TV knows I’m brutally honest — sometimes too honest. I call it as I see it.
“Any player on my books, I’ll tell them ‘Don’t take it personally if I have to be critical’. A lot of our athletes are surrounded by yes men but it’s not my go.”
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Anasta is already general manager of the sports management company Searoo — a business he established with investors in Asia and North America that manages golfers.
He is highly critical of agents in the NRL and the way many of them operate.
“There are some managers who don’t have the best interest of players at heart,” he says.
“The constant thing I hear is that they are there for the signing of contracts then disappear and return when it’s time to negotiate a new deal to get their percentage.
“We don’t want to be the stereotypical agent. There’s much more to looking after players.”
He insists he is better equipped than most agents because of his own experiences — on and off the field — from 288 NRL games and playing for NSW and Australia. He captained his three clubs — the Bulldogs, Roosters and Wests Tigers.
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“I’m passionate about looking after young athletes. There’s no substitute for life experiences. I’ve been through the highest of highs and lowest of lows on the footy field and off it,” he says.
“I’ve always enjoyed leadership and looking after the younger players.”
Anasta says he wants to set up a small stable in which each player gets regular advice on football, finance, corporate relationships and investments.
“We won’t have 100 players, like some of them. Players need one-on-one guidance,” he says.
Originally published as Former NRL star Braith Anasta now an accredited player manager
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