William Raveis Real Estate, Mortgage & Insurance relaunches Sports + Entertainment division

Shelton, CT William Raveis Real Estate, Mortgage & Insurance (WRRE) has relaunched and expanded their William Raveis Sports + Entertainment (S+E) division to include 35 official members. S+E delivers a best-in-class concierge, relocation and lifestyle service with pace and professionalism in partnership with an advisory board of fellow athletes, agents and advisors. They make relocation effortless, enabling clients to focus on the goals most important to them: Their careers and their families.

Led by former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher and top producing agent Chris Resop in Naples, vice president and managing director, the newly expanded division will relocate an increasing number of athletes and entertainers this year. In the last month alone, S+E has already relocated more than 40 athletes.

Experienced in working on behalf of high-net worth individuals for many years, particularly through the Luxury Properties division, the creation and expansion of the S+E was a natural evolution for WRRE. One of the huge benefits of the WRRE network is the access it provides to a portfolio of premium services, perfect for professional athletes and entertainers who require a professional, courteous and swift-moving experience.

Resop worked alongside William Raveis, chairman and CEO of WRRE, to create a boutique division catering to some of the world's most high-profile stars. He personally selects real estate agents from a network of the nation's top relocation experts and certifies them to deliver the pinnacle of professionalism and discretion, so clients can be confident they will have a hassle-free and highly professional real estate experience.

"Our agents have vast experience and keen expertise working with high profile clients," said Resop. "It requires discretion and the ability to help on the most personal level–quickly and efficiently. Some of our clients are notified they need to move to a new city within 24 hours and we are fully-equipped to make that happen."

Resop is personally familiar with the stress of moving from city to city on a moment's notice while having successfully pitched for six MLB teams over 14 years. His first-hand experience relocating more than 30 times during his own MLB career gives him a unique perspective and expertise.

"I know the true peace of mind athletes will experience while working with like-minded professionals who value privacy and who always place your best interests above their own," said Resop. "We truly offer an all-in-one process – from finding the home and moving companies to home mortgage and insurance -- all handled under one umbrella to make it as easy and as seamless as possible for families."

Another former professional athlete, S+E agent Joe Caveney, has helped more than 20 NHL players buy, sell or rent real estate across the country. Recently, when hockey player Jamie McGinn was traded mid-season to the Florida Panthers, Caveney immediately found him a place to live. 

"I was able to keep my focus on hockey and not worry about housing," said McGinn. "After the season, I reached out to Joe to help me find a realtor to put my house in Scottsdale on the market. Not only did he find me a reputable realtor and oversee the whole process, I was able to find a buyer faster than I thought."

Shelby Fessl, a professional concierge who works with many elite athletes on a range of lifestyle services, said: "When my professional athlete clients need to quickly relocate — whether it be for a team trade, spring training or after being drafted — I know I can count on Chris Resop and his team at William Raveis Sports and Entertainment for their expediency, expertise and discretion." 

This year, WRRE partnered with the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Park as the first-ever official realtor of the Boston Red Sox. Resop's team has relocated several Red Sox players, including Red Sox power pitchers Chris Sale, Brian Johnson and Rick Porcello, and set up home bases for them while they are in spring training in Fort Myers, Fla. The three athletes filmed commercials last spring for WRRE, which aired on New England Sports Network, at Fenway Park and online.