Lourdes Dávalos León, a lawyer renowned for defending the Cuban regime's interests in a case involving the National Bank of Cuba's massive debt defaults, is now venturing into the sports sector. The daughter of Rodolfo Dávalos Fernández has taken the helm at CurveBall Agency, a new venture based in Madrid, Spain, focusing on representing Cuban baseball players.
Journalist Yordano Carmona highlighted the development on social media, noting, "It's curious how certain individuals always find themselves in 'strategic projects' related to the island. Life takes twists... or perhaps curves." This agency is stirring conversations among sports journalists.
CurveBall Agency aims to represent, discover, and promote Cuban baseball talent globally. Nevertheless, its establishment appears to have the backing of entities such as the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (INDER) and the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB). This is evident from a promotional video featuring a baseball labeled "Official Cuban Baseball Federation."
The commercial showcases Cuban players Frank Abel Álvarez, Darío Sarduy Medina, Christian Rodríguez, and Carlos Monier, currently playing under state-managed contracts by INDER. The agency claims to have a "team of experts passionate about sports," committed to taking athletes "to the next level."
CurveBall Agency's Ambitious Vision
On social media, CurveBall Agency declares its readiness to "change the rules of the game," offering athletes services like contract advisory and career management. "At CurveBall, we believe your success isn't just measured in statistics but also in how we present you to the world," they assert on their Instagram account.
CurveBall's ties to the Cuban government are further underscored by recent history. In 2018, the FCB reached an agreement with Major League Baseball (MLB) allowing Cuban players to sign contracts without officially leaving national teams. This agreement was later nullified in 2019 by the Trump administration, but CurveBall might be an attempt to rejuvenate these strategies with a more modern approach.
Lourdes Dávalos León: A Familiar Figure
Lourdes Dávalos is no stranger to the regime's strategic projects. Known for her role in the London trial against the National Bank of Cuba, she also leads Dávalos Abogados, a firm specializing in foreign investments in Cuba. Her lifestyle, marked by dining at exclusive Madrid restaurants and a penchant for luxury brands, starkly contrasts with the hardships faced by Cuban athletes.
The establishment of CurveBall raises questions about the real motives of the Cuban regime. According to Pelota Cubana, a specialized media outlet, "The Cuban regime, adept at creating seemingly private structures that serve its purposes, appears to have found in CurveBall a perfect formula to maintain control while projecting an image of modernization."
Pelota Cubana also contrasts the opulence surrounding Lourdes Dávalos with the challenges faced by athletes on the island, who are forced to compete in dilapidated stadiums, with frequent tournament cancellations due to lack of funds, and the migration of talent seeking better opportunities.
It is likely that a sports representation agency like CurveBall generates revenue by retaining a percentage of the contracts athletes sign with professional clubs. This could represent a new avenue for the Cuban regime to obtain foreign currency while maintaining control over the athletes.
On social media, in a post later deleted, Lourdes Dávalos suggested this business represents an opportunity to "internationalize" Cuban talent without severing ties with the island. While CurveBall promises to "build bridges" between Cuban talent and international leagues, the true intentions of this agency will remain a topic of debate. Is this a mechanism to facilitate players' transition to MLB, or merely a strategy to maintain economic control over them?
Insights into CurveBall Agency and Cuban Baseball
What is the purpose of CurveBall Agency?
CurveBall Agency aims to represent, discover, and promote Cuban baseball talent on an international scale, providing services such as contract advisory and career management.
Who supports CurveBall Agency?
The agency seems to have the support of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (INDER) and the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB).
How does CurveBall Agency relate to the Cuban regime?
CurveBall Agency appears to be part of the regime's strategy to maintain control over Cuban athletes while presenting an image of modernization. It may also serve as a means for the regime to earn foreign currency.