Background

Robert Todd Pelinka Jr. was born on December 23, 1969, in Chicago, Illinois. His father, Robert Todd Pelinka Sr., was a high school basketball coach who played a formative role in developing Rob’s foundational understanding of the game.

Pelinka attended Lake Forest High School in Illinois, where he excelled academically and athletically. He went on to enroll at the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration. In 1993, he announced his acceptance into the University of Michigan Law School, where he later earned his Juris Doctor degree.

Legal and Sports Agency Career

Before his tenure as an NBA executive, Pelinka built a successful career as a sports agent after becoming a licensed attorney. He founded and served as president and CEO of The Landmark Sports Agency, LLC. His roster of clients included numerous NBA stars, many of whom were top selections in the NBA Draft. He represented players such as Dion Waiters and Andre Drummond, who were selected fourth and ninth overall, respectively, in the 2012 NBA Draft. Earlier, he represented Derrick Williams, the second overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

Pelinka gained national prominence as the agent for Kobe Bryant, managing his career both on and off the court. His reputation in the sports industry grew as he also worked with prominent NBA players like James Harden, Eric Gordon, and Gerald Wallace.

Controversy in Player Representation

Pelinka’s role in the free agency saga involving Carlos Boozer drew notable scrutiny. At the time, Boozer was with the Cleveland Cavaliers and eligible for his second contract. According to reports, the Cavaliers agreed to release Boozer from restricted free agency so they could negotiate a new deal directly. However, Boozer ultimately signed with the Utah Jazz, leading to criticism of the negotiation strategy. While Pelinka was involved as Boozer’s agent, he denied any wrongdoing, and the incident remains a debated topic in sports management circles.

Los Angeles Lakers Executive Role

Pelinka joined the Los Angeles Lakers as general manager in 2017 and was later promoted to Vice President of Basketball Operations. He is currently under contract with the Lakers on a five-year, $20 million deal. Under his leadership, the team won the 2020 NBA Championship, highlighting his transition from agent to a successful NBA executive.