Who is Adele's boyfriend? All about Rich Paul

For Adele and sports agent Rich Paul, their love is do not have game.

Romance rumors first surfaced when the two watched Game 5 of the NBA Finals together in July 2021. A source later confirmed to PEOPLE that the award-winning singer had been dating Paul for “a few months.”

“I didn't mean to make this public. I just wanted to go to the game,” she said. trend “I love being around him. He's great. He's so funny. He's so smart.”

Since their first public appearance, the pair have bonded at a basketball game, went on a romantic vacation in Italy, and attended the 2023 Super Bowl, where they sat in the VIP section with JAY-Z and Paul McCartney.

Rumors of marriage began in September 2023 when Adele referred to Paul as her “husband” during a concert in Las Vegas. A month later, Gayle King casually asked Paul to confirm the rumor about her girlfriend. CBS Morning.

“When I see her, should I say, 'Hello, Mrs. Paul?'” King asked. “You can say what you want. We're in a good space. We're happy.”

So who is the man who receives Adele? sweetest devotionFrom meeting LeBron James to becoming one of the most powerful sports agents in the industry, here's everything you need to know about Rich Paul's relationship with Adele.?

He is the founder of a sports agency

Adele may be a powerhouse in the music industry, but Paul is a heavyweight in the sports scene.

Founder of Klutch Sports Group, Paul represents some of the biggest names in basketball, including James, Ben Simmons, and Trae Young.

Known for pushing hard bargains, he oversaw the trade of Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Los Angeles Lakers, who would win a championship in 2020.

in new yorker In a profile published in May 2021, Paul was described by NBA general managers as “absolutely relentless in getting his players what they want and will do whatever it takes to get it.”

He is from Cleveland, Ohio

Although Paul now calls Beverly Hills home, he was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, where his late father, Rich Sr., owned a corner store called R&J Confectionery.

Paul had enrolled at the University of Akron, but transferred to Cleveland State University when Rich Sr. was diagnosed with bowel cancer. He dropped out of college a few months after his father's death.

“He always said my education was important,” Paul said. new yorker of his father. “I always wanted to work, but if my father were alive, I probably would have finished school. I didn't want to disappoint him.”

he dreamed of becoming an athlete

His profile has new yorkerPaul said he “definitely wanted to be an athlete” since childhood, but knew that finding a career in sports would require thinking outside the box.

“You have a big heart, but I have a small body,” he said, explaining that he has come to think like his father “as an entrepreneur, as a businessman.”

In 2022, while waiting for a flight to Atlanta at Akron-Canton Airport, he met his first, and perhaps biggest, client, James. At the time, Paul was selling vintage sports jerseys, but James was impressed by the authentic Houston Oilers jersey he was wearing.

Paul began working with James shortly after the basketball player was drafted into the NBA. Along with James and his childhood friends Maverick Carter and Randy Mims, Paul and his group became known as the Four Horsemen.

“I felt like Rich was someone I wanted to grow up with,” James said. ESPN Magazine “I wanted him to lose to my team because he always told me the truth.”

he has three children

Little is known about Paul's relationship with Adele before he started dating. However, in an interview in June 2022, Eh! news, He talked about having three children, one of whom is a daughter who is a “senior in college.” He also suggested that he is open to having more children.

“As a young father, growing the business was pretty tough,” he said. “But now, as an older father, I look forward to being a different father if I have more children.”

Paul added: “When you're setting up a business, you're often out and about, but kids grow up quickly and quickly. Then they start walking. They start walking, they ride bikes, they start walking. , running and flipping, and that’s the problem.”

He learned his trade at a major agency.

After joining James' inner circle, Paul began working for Leon Rose at Creative Artists Agency. During his stay there, he made strong connections and built lasting relationships that ultimately helped him found his own agency, Klutch His Sports Group, in 2012.

“I received great instruction,” Paul said in his book. ESPN Magazine profile. “Working at Nike and her CAA is the same as going to Michigan Law School and her going to MIT.”

He helped change NCAA rules

Paul made headlines in August 2019 when the NCAA changed its rules requiring agents to have a bachelor's degree. The change came shortly after Paul successfully negotiated a contract with high school prospect Darius Bazley to interne at New Balance rather than play college basketball at Syracuse University.

Dubbed by many as the “Rich Paul Rule,” the NCAA rescinded the new regulation a week later after a sports agency wrote an op-ed. atlantic It said the changes “prevent young people from less prestigious backgrounds, and often people of color, from working in the systems they continue to control.”

He was previously in a relationship with Tobey Maguire's ex-wife Jennifer Meyer

Sources tell PEOPLE that Paul was in a serious relationship with Tobey Maguire's ex-wife Jennifer Mayer before going public with his romance with Adele. The two first revealed their relationship at the end of 2018.

he met adele at a party

In the aforementioned 2021 interview, trendAdele revealed that she met Paul at a party a few years ago.

“I was a little drunk,” she revealed. “I said, 'Do you want to sign me? I'm an athlete now.'.“”

Adele added: “He was dancing. Everyone else was just sitting there. He was just dancing away.”

he is writing a memoir

according to hollywood reporterRoc Lit 101, a publishing arm of Jay-Z's Roc Nation and an imprint of Random House, has acquired Paul's life story for an upcoming memoir.

with title i'm luckyThis book chronicles Paul's upbringing in Cleveland and his rise as a sports agent.

”i'm lucky It's more than my story,” Paul said in March 2021.i'm lucky This is the story of every young black man who grew up just like me. I want to use my story to uplift and inspire those who lived through this time and educate those who did not. I cannot express in words what it means to me to partner with my friend and mentor Jay-Z on this project. i'm lucky I had the name for this book even before I talked to Jay because his music has been the soundtrack of my life. ”

Adele considers herself an “interesting person”

Adele's CBS special in November 2021 titled Oprah Winfrey Adele for one night onlythe “Easy on Me” singer shared one of her favorite things about Paul.

“He's just a funny guy,” she said. “Oh, he's so funny and so smart. He's just incredible when you watch what he does.”

Adele serenaded him on his 41st birthday

In December 2022, Paul celebrated his birthday with Adele in Las Vegas. The “Someone Like You” singer took a moment to sing “Happy Birthday” to sports agents in the audience during his concert at Caesars Palace.

“I love you more than life itself. Happy birthday,” Adele said from the stage.

Attending the 2023 Grammy Awards with Adele

Paul performed with Adele at the 65th Grammy Awards, where Adele won Best Pop Solo Performance for “Easy on Me.”

The Japan Sports Agency founder attended the event in a tuxedo, while Adele appeared in a burgundy off-the-shoulder dress by Louis Vuitton.

During her acceptance speech, the singer shared advice from Paul: “If you win something, don't cry.”

She added: “And I'm here crying.”