Jay-Z has a sizable interest in the NBA, which has been shown by his long-term association with the Brooklyn Nets.
Jay-Z held a minority stake in the Brooklyn Nets for nearly a decade. Over the next decade, Jay-Z and Beyonce were courtside regulars at Nets games.
However, in 2013, Jay-Z sold his shares at a loss of 500,000 dollars due to his involvement in Roc Nation Sports.
Yet, being a part owner of the franchise didn’t guarantee Jay-Z any sort of peace, and he was once bothered by a member of the Nets roster with regards to a potential music career.
Maurice Ager was not encouraged to pursue music
During this time, Maurice Ager, a former NBA player turned record producer, attempted to leverage Jay-Z‘s affiliation with the team.
In 2003, Jay-Z acquired a minority share, reportedly investing 1 million dollars for a 1/15th stake when the team was known as the New Jersey Nets.
Ager, drafted by the Mavericks in 2006 and later traded to the Nets, tried to interest Jay-Z in his beats during a 2009 preseason game in London against the Heat.
“I make beats and everything, that’s my passion,” Ager declared.
“JAY-Z comes to our practice, and I remember having a really good practice! This was my second season with the Nets.
“I went over to Jay. He was chilling. He had on all black, the leather coat and baggie jeans. I introduced myself, I was like ‘I make beats, fam. I would like for you to check out my beats.”
Despite scoring nine points in just 11 minutes of play, Ager’s attempts to impress Jay-Z with his beats were rebuffed. Jay-Z advised him to focus on basketball rather than music production.
“He’s like, ‘Oh, word? I need you to concentrate on that court, though,” Ager recalled.