What do Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. and international music star Bad Bunny have in common? A lot more than you think.
The 26-year-old reigning National League MVP is expected to sign with Rimas Sports, the controversial new agency facing discipline from the MLBPA. It's also operated by the famous Puerto Rican rapper.
Acuna is by far the biggest splash for the newly founded group. He joins Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez, Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and, Dodgers catching prospect Diego Cartaya as members of the agency.
Here's more on Acuna's agency and its connection to Bad Bunny.
MORE: Who is Bad Bunny?
Ronald Acuna Jr. agency, explained
Acuna was asked on Wednesday if he had signed with Bad Bunny's agency. His response was "not yet," but he indicated it was likely to happen, according to The Athletic.
Brittany Ghiroli reported that Acuna is expected to sign with Rimas "to handle his marketing and off-field business," but it's not believed that Acuna will be hiring the firm to be his baseball agent. He's currently represented by Rep 1 Baseball, per baseball-reference.com.
It's understandable why the Atlanta slugger would seek the group's help. They've helped take Bad Bunny to another level in worldwide stardom, and Acuna could be next. He already carries massive appeal in the United States and his native Venezuela.
For those wondering if this is allowed, yes it is. The MLBPA may oversee the regulations between agents and players, but it does not police marketing and business companies in a similar fashion.
Acuna previously had his marketing and branding work done by the company Xample.
What is Rimas Sports?
Rimas Sports is a sports agency looking to make progress in the sports industry. It was founded in April 2023 by Bad Bunny and his agent, Noah Assad.
"Together we have accomplished great things in the music industry, and now we are ready to take on the world of sports," Rimas Sports president Jonathan Miranda wrote in an email last summer, per ESPN. "In addition, [Bad Bunny] is an invaluable asset to us, embodies our values and goals, and his stellar career represents the success of our model. Our approach is based on talent and a unique vision, with a team of professionals behind the scenes in charge of making it happen."
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, seemed to be the perfect face for the brand, given his popularity and his interest in the sport. He played at the 2022 MLB Celebrity Softball Game, and he's also name-dropped numerous MLB players in his tracks.
Just after the agency officially launched, it caught the eye of MLBPA. The player's union received evidence pointing to Rimas Sports offering improper benefits to players in an attempt to coax them to the upstart firm, according to ESPN.
No agent "shall provide, cause to provide or promise to provide any money or any other thing of value to any player, or any person related to or associated with such player" for the purpose of persuading him into staying or leaving an agency, according to Section 5 of the MLBPA's agent rulebook.
William Arroyo, Rimas Sports' lead baseball agent, saw his MLBPA certification revoked following the union's investigation into other claims that Rimas offered incentives to these athletes to ink a deal. These extra side deals involved money, cars, and other alleged rewards to sway athletes into joining the company.
Arroyo and Rimas Sports do have the right to appeal, though it's unclear if they will pursue it.
Miranda reaffirmed that Rimas Sports is its own standalone project and not a part of Rimas Entertainment, the independent record label that Bad Bunny is signed to.
Ronald Acuna Jr. contract
Acuna is currently in the fourth year of an eight-year contract extension he signed with the Braves, carrying a total worth of $100 million. The outfielder is set to make $17 million this season in salary.
His deal also has two club options, one in 2027 another in '28.
| Season | Salary |
| 2024 | $17,000,000 |
| 2025 | $17,000,000 |
| 2026 | $17,000,000 |
| 2027* | $17,000,000 |
| 2028* | $17,000,000 |
* = club options