Meet Rafiyq Cromwell: CEO/Director of Sports Operations at Privé Management Group

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rafiyq Cromwell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rafiyq, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk are a big part of success and growing; without risk there’s no reward. Of course when taking risk there always a risk tolerance you must be honest with yourself about but always playing it safe will hinder your growth. Life and success is really like a game of what you can do for others and how you can use your success to impact others. Sometimes that risk may be taking on a client that may not completely fit what you’re looking for but you know you can help them advance and in turn they will continue to grow and work with you. Build relationships, take risk, and take the stairs if you have to. Nothing wrong with the slow grind.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Privé Management Group is a full service marketing and management firm for pro athletes. We provide brand management, brand partnerships(endorsement deals), social media growth and management, content creation, public relations, business development, and post career counseling.

Privé was created truly to help NFL athletes not fall into the statistic that 80% of NFL players go broke 3 years after retiring. We knew that if players had the right structure and team off the field that they would be less likely to fall into this statistic. We do this by garnering strong strategic partnerships while also establishing who they are as a person. They play football, or baseball, or basketball; they aren’t a football player, baseball player, or basketball player. They are humans first and we must remember that and allow the world to see and understand that.

I’ve professionally been in this industry for 8 year and it has been a journey to say the least. I played college football myself at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania and genuinely had a true interest in marketing as a whole. A friend of mine who I consider family, Will Clarke, was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014 while I was still in college. When I graduated I continued to chase my playing dreams but he gave me my first shot at representing a pro athlete. Of course I’ve had many highs and lows throughout these 8 years with people doing bad business or even times I felt I wanted to give up; but giving up has never been part of my character. I’ve worked/workwith players such as Antonio Brown, Michael Gallup, Marhsawn Lattimore, Jalen Richard, Josh Jacobs, Ryan Smith, Will Clarke, Terrell Edmunds, Marcus Allen, and many more.

What I want the world to know about me is that my story is no overnight success by any means. I started my first marketing company in 2012 and didn’t get my first paid deal for a client until 2017. Now I provide for my family from Privé and have established a legacy for my family to forever live through. I was blessed to have such supportive parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, and an amazing fiancé. If there’s anything in this world I want to be remembered for it’s inspiring a world to chase their dreams and what they believe in. Everyday I tweet “Go get yours today” and I stand on that. No matter what it is GO GET YOURS TODAY!!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Being based in Pittsburgh I would take a friend of mine to Fogo De Chao, a Brazilian Restaurant downtown Pittsburgh for good lunch or dinner food. It’s a must for anyone to visit the “Overlook” and see the amazing view of the city. Another good recommendation for fun or night life would be Eon bar and grill. Their food is amazing and the customer service is always top tier.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my fiancé Anjali. She’s supported me, prayed for me, and encouraged me throughout my journey of getting where I am now and continues to do the same. She’s an amazing mother to our daughter and always makes sure our household is upheld when I’m busy with business or on a business trip. Being in the sports industry isn’t always fun and it can be very very time consuming. Over the years of pushing to establish myself in this industry and make my company a familiar brand working pro sports marketing and management; her faith in me never came into question and knowing that I will put our family in a position to change the financial trajectory for generations to come. I dedicate this to you, I love you forever..

Website: Www.privemgt.com

Instagram: Kingcromwell23

Twitter: Kingcromwell23

Image Credits
Christ Hunter B Larae Photography