Inside the client list of Micah Parsons’ super-agent David Mulugheta

When the Dallas Cowboys stunned the NFL world by trading Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, one name stood out as much as the star linebacker’s: David Mulugheta.

Mulugheta isn’t just Parsons’ agent. He’s one of the most powerful figures in the entire league - a man who, earlier this year, became the first NFL agent in history to negotiate over $1 billion worth of active player contracts in a single year.

From selling cell phones to running the NFL

Mulugheta’s path to the top wasn’t typical of the agent world. Born in Dallas to Ethiopian immigrant parents, he worked his way through college at the University of Texas by selling cell phones at an AT&T store. Customers would sometimes come back just to talk football with him - a hint at the people skills that would define his career.

After earning a law degree at the University of Nebraska, Mulugheta joined Athletes First, the powerhouse agency that also represents coaches and front-office executives. From there, he steadily climbed the ranks, starting with lesser-known players before landing his first true star in safety Kenny Vaccaro. His reputation for honesty, accessibility, and relentless advocacy quickly spread among players.

Today, Mulugheta is president of team sports at Athletes First, and arguably the most influential agent in the game. Parsons is just one of many stars who have tied their future to Mulugheta’s negotiating genius. His client roster reads like a Pro Bowl invite list.

The super-agent’s client roster

• Micah Parsons (Packers) – Perhaps his most high-profile client today, Parsons’ tense standoff with the Cowboys turned into one of the boldest trades in recent NFL memory.
• Jordan Love (Packers QB) – A rising star at the game’s most important position, Love trusted Mulugheta to help secure his next payday.
• C.J. Stroud (Texans QB) – The former Offensive Rookie of the Year is already one of the NFL’s most marketable young players.
• Jalen Ramsey (Steelers CB) – A perennial All-Pro and outspoken competitor who embodies Mulugheta’s confident, high-stakes approach.
• Deshaun Watson (Browns QB) – One of the most controversial but financially significant deals in league history.
• Michael Thomas (Saints WR) – Once the league’s most productive pass-catchers.
• Kyle Pitts (Falcons TE) – A record-breaking tight end prospect with generational potential.
• Budda Baker (Cardinals S) & Derwin James (Chargers S) – Two of the NFL’s elite safeties, both commanding top-of-market contracts.

This is just a small sample of Mulugheta’s list of 59 NFL players he represents. Quarterbacks, elite defenders, and generational offensive stars give Mulugheta immense pull when it’s time to talk dollars.

Why players trust him

Mulugheta’s reputation comes down to relationships. Clients often describe him less like an agent and more like a brother. He’s known to check in on families, offer mentorship, and stand firm against ownership when needed.

That human touch is paired with sharp business instincts. Whether it’s structuring Watson’s fully guaranteed $230 million deal (still unmatched in NFL history) or steering Parsons through his Dallas exit, Mulugheta’s fingerprints are on some of the league’s biggest contract trends.

The Jerry Jones fallout

No story illustrates Mulugheta’s rising power quite like his recent standoff with Jerry Jones. The Cowboys owner has long prided himself on controlling negotiations, but Parsons’ departure revealed just how much sway Mulugheta commands.

While Dallas fans were left fuming, insiders saw the episode as proof: star players with Mulugheta in their corner won’t settle for less than full value.

Mulugheta is the NFL’s first billion-dollar agent, a man who can shift rosters, reshape markets, and alter the competitive balance of the league, all from the negotiating table.

For Cowboys fans, he may now feel like the villain who helped push Parsons to Green Bay. For his clients, though, he’s exactly who they want on their side when careers and generational wealth are on the line.

Related stories

NFL

How the Cowboys could have stopped Parsons trade

NFL

Parsons' immediate impact on Packers

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.