Fired agent denies hidden camera allegations; MLBPA issues suspension

Tom Gatto

Fired agent denies hidden camera allegations; MLBPA issues suspension image

A player agent who was fired for allegedly using a hidden camera to record at least one client showering in his house called the claims "absurd and untrue."

Jason Wood issued the denial Wednesday to Yahoo Sports after his dismissal by CSE Talent, which hired Wood in April to lead its baseball division.

"Over the past 13 years I have worked tirelessly to build a successful agency through integrity and hard work. I am disappointed that there are those who have chosen to spread such irresponsible and harmful rumors," Wood said in a prepared statement.

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In addition to being fired, Wood was suspended by the Major League Baseball Players Association pending an investigation. Wood is barred from representing players and could lose his certification, Yahoo reported.

FanRag Sports reported a player who was a houseguest of the agent spotted the camera in the shower. The player's name was not disclosed. Yahoo reported multiple players have stayed with Wood in his St. Louis house, and FanRag reported some of them may have been captured on video as well.

Wood's client list reportedly included Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi, Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi, Mariners pitcher David Phelps and Mets infielder Matt Reynolds. NBC Sports Boston reported Benintendi was not involved in making the allegations against Wood.

The site also reported law enforcement was not yet involved.

CSE said in a statement that Wood failed to uphold the agency's "moral and ethical standards."

Tom Gatto

Tom Gatto Photo

Tom Gatto joined The Sporting News as a senior editor in 2000 after 12 years at The Herald-News in Passaic, N.J., where he served in a variety of roles including sports editor, and a brief spell at APBNews.com in New York, where he worked as a syndication editor. He is a 1986 graduate of the University of South Carolina.