Tory Dandy is an NFL football agent and philanthropist. He is an equity partner at Athlete's First,^[1] and previously spent nine years as the co-head and managing partner of Creative Artists Agency’s Sports Football Division – and was the first African-American to hold the position.^[2]

Dandy was born in Woodruff, South Carolina. He played football throughout high school, mostly playing on defense or as a wide receiver.^[3] Though an untreated shoulder injury led him to miss out on opportunities with major recruiters, he ultimately accepted a scholarship to play Division II football for Tusculum College (now Tusculum University) in Tennessee^[3] and then transferred to South Carolina State University.^[4] After experiencing additional injuries on the field, Dandy made the decision to stop playing football and returned to Tusculum. In 2002, he earned his degree in Business Management with a minor in Sports Management. After that, he received an MBA from Webster University in 2004.^[2]

After Dandy stopped playing college football, he attended the Black Sports Agents Association's annual conference^[3] and went on to get an internship at a small agency in South Carolina called Synergy Sports in 2004.^[5] He attracted the attention of influential sports agent Eugene Parker, and when Synergy Sports ceased operations, he became director of recruiting at Parker's company Maximum Sports in 2006.^[6] Parker provided mentorship to Dandy until his death.^[5]

After Parker died in 2016, Dandy's contract expired and he found himself at a career crossroads. CAA Sports contacted him, and he accepted a role in their NFL division later that year.^[7]

Dandy was recognized as part of Sports Business Journal's Forty Under 40 in 2018.^[8]

In 2020, Dandy was promoted to co-head and managing partner of CAA's Sports Football Division. There, he represents more than 50 NFL players, including multiple all-pro, pro-bowl and first-round draft picks.^[2]

Dandy's active contracts are reported to total over $1.6 billion^[9] and in 2022 alone, he negotiated over $660 million for CAA clients.^[10] As a co-head, he also oversees $4 billion in contracts.^[11]

In 2021 and 2022, he negotiated several historic contracts for prominent players, including; $100 million, 4-year contract for A.J. Brown with the Philadelphia Eagles;^[12] a $97.6 million contract extension for Marshon Lattimore with the New Orleans Saints;^[13] and a $100.5 million, five-year contract extension for Denzel Ward with the Cleveland Browns, making him the NFL's highest paid cornerback at the time.^[14]

In recent years, Dandy has negotiated contracts for A.J. Brown, DK Metcalf, and Deebo Samuel totaling $100, $72, and $73.5 million respectively.^[15]

In 2024, he negotiated the biggest contracts for wide receivers in NFL history, netting A.J. Brown a $96 million, 3-year contract with $84 million guaranteed to continue playing for the Eagles, and a 4-year, $136 million contract with the Cowboys for CeeDee Lamb, including a $38 million signing bonus – the highest ever given to a wide receiver.^[16][17] He also negotiated the largest contract for a defensive back in NFL history for Patrick Surtain II, who received a $96 million, 4-year contract with $77 million guaranteed from the Bronco's.^[18] In 2025, he negotiated the largest contract for a guard in NFL history for Trey Smith, who received a $94 million, 4-year contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs.^[19]

In 2009, three years into his role at Maximum Sports, Dandy recruited Tyson Jackson, who was the number-three overall NFL draft pick that year and went on to play for the Kansas City Chiefs.^[7]

At CAA, Dandy represents NFL players including Deebo Samuel, Patrick Surtain, Chris Godwin, A.J. Brown, Denzel Ward, DeAndre Hopkins, Marshon Lattimore, CeDee Lamb, and Mike Williams.^[6]

Dandy established the Tory Dandy Educational Scholarship in 2013, which awards financial assistance annually to a graduating senior at Woodruff High School, where Dandy attended.^[3] Through his Tory Dandy Foundation,^[20] which aims to assist underprivileged youth, he has also made financial contributions to local South Carolina nonprofits^[21] and has donated to support youth services throughout the state.^[22]

In recognition of Dandy's contributions and achievements, the cities of Woodruff and Spartanburg gave him a key to the city in 2020 and proclaimed August 29 “Tory Dandy Day.”^[2]