Lewis Gross
Tax-Savvy Negotiator
US $307M
Key Facts
Agency / company: Sports Professional Management
Role / title: President / NHLPA Certified Agent
Agency website: https://spmsports.com/
Primary markets: NHL, tax planning, contract structure, arbitration, RFAs, player-family advising, post-career planning
About Lewis Gross
Lewis S. Gross is President of Sports Professional Management and is listed by SPM as an NHLPA Certified Agent. Gross is a practicing CPA with a Master’s Degree in Taxation, and founded the agency in 1987 with one client: Hall of Fame New York Islanders defenseman Denis Potvin.
SPM’s identity is built around a small, independent, finance-heavy model. The agency says it resisted 1990s consolidation in the sports-agency business to preserve personal client contact, and that it still emphasizes individualized service, financial planning, tax preparation, contract negotiation, and post-career support.
Gross is listed with 22 active NHL contracts, about $307M in active contract value, and about $62M in active cap hit. His current book is led by William Nylander, Jeremy Swayman, Torey Krug, Rasmus Sandin, Ross Colton, Brian Dumoulin, Shane Pinto, Alex Iafallo, Noel Acciari, and Brandon Saad.
Key Facts
NHLPA certification: NHLPA Certified Agent
Active NHL contracts represented: 22
Total active contract value: $307M
Total active cap hit / AAV represented: $62M
Average active cap hit: $2,81M
Future contract extensions listed: 3, worth $34M
Largest active contract: William Nylander – $92M total, $11.5M AAV
Most notable clients: William Nylander, Jeremy Swayman, Torey Krug, Rasmus Sandin, Ross Colton, Shane Pinto
Primary client type: NHL stars, RFAs, goalies, Swedish players, tax-sensitive contract clients
Client Roster
William Nylander (Toronto Maple Leafs) – RW – Sweden – $11.5M AAV – $92M total – expires 2031-32
Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins) – G – USA – $8.25M AAV – $66M total – expires 2031-32
Torey Krug (St. Louis Blues) – D – USA – $6.5M AAV – $45.5M total – expires 2026-27
Rasmus Sandin (Washington Capitals) – D – Sweden – $4.6M AAV – $23M total – expires 2028-29
Ross Colton (Colorado Avalanche) – C/LW – USA – $4M AAV – $16M total – expires 2026-27
Brian Dumoulin (Los Angeles Kings) – D – USA – $4M AAV – $12M total – expires 2027-28
Shane Pinto (Ottawa Senators) – C – USA – $3.75M AAV – $7.5M total – expires 2025-26
Alex Iafallo (Winnipeg Jets) – LW – USA – $3.667M AAV – $11M total – expires 2027-28
Noel Acciari (Pittsburgh Penguins) – C/RW – USA – $2M AAV – $6M total – expires 2025-26
Brandon Saad (Vegas Golden Knights) – LW – USA – $2M AAV – $2M total – expires 2025-26
Joel Hanley (Calgary Flames) – D – Canada – $1.75M AAV – $3.5M total – expires 2026-27
Samuel Ersson (Philadelphia Flyers) – G – Sweden – $1.45M AAV – $2.9M total – expires 2025-26
Kenny Connors (Los Angeles Kings) – C – USA – $905K AAV – ELC – expires 2026-27
Emil Andrae (Philadelphia Flyers) – D – Sweden – $903K AAV – ELC – expires 2025-26
Noel Nordh (Utah Mammoth) – RW – Sweden – $902K AAV – ELC – expires 2027-28
Future extensions listed by PuckPedia:
Shane Pinto (Ottawa Senators) – $7.5M AAV – $30M total – expires 2029-30
Theo Stockselius (Calgary Flames) – ELC – $3.047M total – expires 2028-29
Ben Dexheimer (Minnesota Wild) – ELC – $980K total – expires 2026-27
Notable Deals
2024 – William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs: 8 years, $92M, $11.5M AAV.
2024 – Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins: 8 years, $66M, $8.25M AAV.
2020 – Torey Krug, St. Louis Blues: 7 years, $45.5M, $6.5M AAV.
2024 – Rasmus Sandin, Washington Capitals: 5 years, $23M, $4.6M AAV.
2023 – Ross Colton, Colorado Avalanche: 4 years, $16M, $4M AAV.
2026 – Shane Pinto, Ottawa Senators: future extension listed at $30M total and $7.5M AAV.
Milestones
1987: Founded Sports Professional Management with Denis Potvin as the firm’s first client.
1990s: SPM remained independent during a wave of agency mergers and consolidation.
Arbitration record: SPM says it helped one client receive the largest arbitration award in NHL history.
2024: Nylander signed an eight-year, $92M Maple Leafs extension.
2024: Swayman signed an eight-year, $66M Bruins contract after a high-profile RFA negotiation.
2026: PuckPedia lists Gross with 22 active NHL contracts and more than $307M in active value.
Partner Network
Mark Toof: Agent / Client Advisor, Head Recruiter, NHLPA Certified Agent.
Jamie Bozzo: Player Relations.
Michael Nylander: Player Agent.
Antero Niittymäki: Finland agent, Playmaker 92.
Peter Tesher: Director of Social Media.
External professional network: Investment firms, insurance companies, banks, marketing partners, and endorsement contacts in the U.S. and Canada.
Testimonials / Media Characterization
SPM describes itself as a small independent agency that stresses quality over quantity and personal client contact.
SPM says it has represented Hall of Famers, All-Stars, and league MVPs.
SPM’s services page emphasizes Gross’ tax background and says he personally oversees every client’s tax preparation.
PuckPedia ranks Gross among agents with more than $300M in active NHL contract value.
Press, Awards & Recognition
