Newport Beach sports agent Leigh Steinberg has lost marquee client Matt Leinart, the former University of Southern California Trojan who’s expected to be the first quarterback drafted into the NFL on April 29.
Steinberg confirmed the loss to ESPN on Tuesday and said he was unsure why Leinart bolted.
The agent, made famous for inspiring the “Jerry Maguire” movie character, said he hopes to win Leinart back during a mandatory five-day waiting period before the star quarterback can sign with another agent.
Leinart’s departure follows that of former USC tackle and prime draft pick Winston Justice, who recently quit Steinberg.
In other sports news, the city of Anaheim and the NBA Development League said Tuesday they plan to bring an expansion team to the city’s Convention Center Arena.
The team, which is yet to be named, is a minor league affiliate of the Los Angeles Clippers.
