Sam Ayoub

Sam Ayoub is one of Australia’s leading player’s agents, with more than 30 years’ experience to his name. Sam specialises in representing elite Rugby League and Rugby Union players through his company, Ultra Management Sports.

Sam is the Managing Director of Ultra Management Sports, which he established in 1988 after recognising that there was a player need for NRL managers who had experience in negotiating contracts. Sam had always loved and understood the game, so he considered it a necessity that players were provided comprehensive support throughout their careers. Sam has been the sole Director of the company since its conception and remains at the helm. For more than three decades, Sam has worked tirelessly to establish a reputation as one of the industry’s best player agents.

While based in Sydney, Sam and his team represent players across Australia, New Zealand, France and the United Kingdom.

As a player agent, Sam assists players with contract negotiations, personal branding and endorsements, working to help them establish a firm and sustainable financial base for their future through the acquisition of strategic assets and investments.

Sam and Ultra Management Sports are able to provide such a tailored service by refusing to sign an unnecessary number of players, instead identifying those with true potential and supporting them on their journey.

Ultra Management Sports currently represents some of the game’s best and brightest, including Anthony Milford, Nick Cotric, Blake Ferguson, Clint Gutherson, Victor Radley, Daniel Tupou, Junior Paulo, Jordan Rapana and Marika Koroibete.

Players he has previously managed through their careers and post-career are Johnathan Thurston, Robbie Farah, Adrian Lam, Jeremy Smith, Willie Mason, Jamie Soward, Reni Maitua and Jason Smith. He has also dealt with and managed other sporting stars and personalities such as Brian Carney, Martina Navratilova, Mark Bosnich and Lucas Neil.

Johnathan Thurston

Perhaps his best known client in Australia is Johnathan Thurston who Ayoub describes as “rugby league’s greatest ever success”.

Ayoub signed Thurston when the aspiring half-back was aged just 16. It took two years to get clubs to see the potential Ayoub saw in the short and skinny Thurston.