Celebrity Name: Tank Dell
New Company: Athletes First
Primary Agents: Olivia Green, Austin Lyman, David Mulugheta
Department: NFL/Football Representation
Previous Company: Aura Sports Group
Territory: United States
- Tank Dell has officially signed with Athletes First for NFL representation, with primary agents Olivia Green, Austin Lyman, and David Mulugheta leading his team.
- Dell comes off a lost 2025 season after suffering a torn ACL, MCL, LCL, and meniscus damage in December 2024, and is now laser-focused on a full comeback with the Houston Texans in 2026.
- David Mulugheta, President of Team Sports at Athletes First, made NFL history in 2024 as the first agent to negotiate over $1 billion in contracts in a single year, bringing elite-level negotiating power to Dell’s corner.
- PR duties will be handled by Ace PR, rounding out a strong off-field team as Dell prepares for what could be a career-defining return season.
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell has signed with Athletes First for representation. Agents Olivia Green, Austin Lyman, and powerhouse agent David Mulugheta will lead his representation, while Ace PR will handle his publicity.
The timing is significant. Dell missed the entire 2025 NFL season after suffering a dislocated knee along with torn ACL, MCL, and LCL during a December 2024 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Before the injury, Dell had racked up 98 receptions for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns across 25 regular-season games, establishing himself as one of the most electric young receivers in the league.
Now, Dell is making his comeback. His return in 2026 will be a welcome sight for C.J. Stroud and the rest of the Texans offense, as they look to bounce back from 2025 struggles.
Dell recently told reporters he’s “back” and plans to take over games come Week 1. He also recently switched his jersey number from #3 to #1, a bold statement of intent.
Mulugheta serves as President of Team Sports at Athletes First and made history in September 2024 as the first agent in NFL history to negotiate over $1 billion in contracts within a single year. He already represents Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., among others.
This signing also links Dell to one of the most elite NFL client rosters in the game. Athletes First has been growing its roster fast in 2026, recently signing Jordan McFadden and Cordale Flott to the agency as well.
Takeaways
This signing is about way more than paperwork, it’s a power move. Tank Dell is coming off the most grueling stretch of his career, and he’s entering his contract year with one of the most feared negotiators in the NFL in his corner.
Landing David Mulugheta, the man who brokered Jordan Love’s $220M deal and crossed $1 billion in a single year, signals that Dell and his team are thinking far beyond his current rookie deal.
If Dell returns to form in 2026, this partnership could set up a massive payday. Athletes First doesn’t just manage careers, they build legacies.
With David Mulugheta in his corner going into his contract year, could Tank Dell be in line for one of the biggest WR extensions of the 2026 offseason? Does switching to jersey No. 1, combined with this representation upgrade, signal that Tank Dell is ready to bet on himself in a big way?
