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Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports Lands Geno Smith

The New York Jets quarterback is the latest athlete to turn to Hov for representation.

New York Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith has only been a Big Apple sports figure for a month, but he's already in an empire state of mind.

The former West Virginia standout announced today that he has joined the ranks of Robinson Cano and Skylar Diggins, hiring Jay-Z's newly minted Roc Nation Sports to represent him.

USA Today reported that after interviewing several agencies, the 22-year-old will be represented directly by Kimberly Miale (who the paper calls a "relative unknown") as Hov, himself, is not certified by the NFL Players Association. Miale will handle all of Smith's contract negotiations.

Despite a photo of the two that appeared on Instagram, Smith insists that Jay-Z was not much of a factor in his decision to sign to the rapidly ascending sports agency, telling the press, "When you're talking about being in New York from the standpoint of what they can do throughout the city, all the connections they have, I think it's a good move."

Smith is one of three NFL clients that Miale represents, but just might be the only active one since neither of her other two clients, Brandon Hicks and kicker Carlos Martinez have appeared in an NFL game.

Smith made it clear that the decision was not about creating an egregious profile.

"It's not that important to me honestly," Smith told USA Today. "The only thing that's important to me is the image status perceived around this locker room. The guy I am to my teammates and my coaches, the work I put in on the football field. I'm all about football, I'm all about getting better. That's the one thing I have to focus on, and that's better myself daily, better myself to be there when the time comes," he added.

Some people are speculating that this hiring is an indication that the feisty young quarterback might be interested in show business more than football, but Smith himself is not worried about what people think.

"That's perception, I don't worry about the outside world's perception when it comes to that type of stuff," Smith exclaimed.

It's been a fast start for Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports, who only announced their agency and partnership with CAA last month. After locking down deals with Diggins, Cano, it's been widely reported that The Roc's next target is charismatic future NHL star Seth Jones.

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(Photos from left:  Stefan Jeremiah/WENN.com, Al Bello/Getty Images)

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