Gladys Alonso has the distinction of being the first female Cuban-American sports agent in the game, a pretty tall order in a very male dominated business. Her company A&F Sports represents various players in MLB, Asia and México. The agency has negotiated plenty of lucrative deals for these athletes.
With 10 years in the business she is very seasoned in the ins-and-outs of representing today’s athlete. The Hialeah, Fla native has very quietly and efficiently established herself as a power in sports representation. Expect Alonso and A&F Sports to be a major player in the business for years to come.
As I was covering the FEPCUBE game on Wednesday I managed to catch up with Ms. Alonso and talk about A&F Sports and her accomplishments as a sports agent. As of woman of Cuban heritage(the daughter of parents from Cienfuegos and Havana’s Santo Suárez neighborhood), she is very proud of her roots and is a staunch supporter of Miami’s exile community. Below are the excerpts of our interview:
You are the first Cuban-American female sports agent, how does that accomplishment make you feel?
Born in Hialeah, Florida from Cuban roots I couldn’t be more proud to be the first female Cuban-American sports agent. I have never been to Cuba but hopefully I will be able to visit one day when it is free from communism. Until then I will promise to fight for Cuba’s freedom.
Tell us about A&F Sports and who you represent.
In 2014, A & F was established. My focus has always been to help the Latino players. Being a baseball mom and raising three kids has helped me with my job. I offer a boutique experience to my players. I am a very small agency representing 35 players. I represented Arquimedes Caminero the 3rd fastest pitcher in the MLB in 2016, I later signed him with the Tokyo Giants. I signed the top prospect in 2017 in Dominicana. I have players in the MLB, Japan, Taiwan, and México. Last year I signed Williams Wong whose dad is Cuban to The Texas rangers from Italy. With 10 years experience in the international market I feel that I am ready to dominate.
How have you managed to thrive in such a male dominated business?
When I started 10 years ago it was very tough. I never let anyone dull my sparkle. I kept learning from my mistakes and now I believe that I am well respected in the baseball community.
Being of Cuban descent, give us your opinion on FEPCUBE?
The world does not understand what the Cubans suffer to be able to play on a major league field. How they risk their lives, travel through jungles, to find freedom. Cuba is not a museum for the 40’s. It’s a communist country where the people are oppressed and starving. I am in 100 percent support of Febcube and am proud to be a part of it.
What are A&F Sports goals for the season?
This season I’m planning to venture out to Spain and look for Cubans and other Latinos that have established themselves there and bring them to the MLB.