(AFP) Major League Baseball’s players union is investigating whether a $33,900 watch given to New York Yankees star Robinson Cano by his agent, entertainer Jay Z, was a violation of representative regulations, ESPN reported Tuesday.
Cano received a limited edition watch from Hublot at an October 22 party in Belgium to celebrate the Yankees second baseman’s 31st birthday, the US-based sports network reported, citing unnamed sources.
Jay Z, helped design the watch that bears his real name, Shawn Carter, and had performed in Antwerp the night before. The watches are set for a public unveiling later this month in New York.
Cano left agent Scott Boras last April to sign with Carter’s Roc Nation sports group, which also has deals with NBA star Kevin Durant of Oklahoma City and NFL players Geno Smith and Victor Cruz.
But Cano, among this year’s top available free agents, is also represented by Creative Artists Agency and it is that group which will handle negotiations with the Yankees on a new deal. He reportedly seeks $310 million over 10 years from the Yankees.
Major League Baseball Players Association regulations prohibit gifts or payments meant to encourage continued use of a person’s services and while there is an exception for clients of agents, all gifts above $500 must be disclosed to the union in writing to avoid improper inducements. If in violation, Jay Z could face unspecified disciplinary action from the union.