Jeff Sperbeck, former agent for John Elway, dies after ‘horrific accident’

Jeff Sperbeck, a business partner and former agent for NFL Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, died Wednesday after suffering an injury last weekend at a Southern California golf resort community. He was 62.

No cause of death has been released, but the Riverside County coroner’s office said Sperbeck, who was taken to a trauma center, was injured Saturday after falling off a golf cart at The Madison Club in La Quinta.

“This appears to be a horrific accident,” Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco told The Denver Post. “And unfortunately for all of those involved, one of the people — well, a couple of them — happen to be very high-profile celebrities. And that makes this more of an issue than it probably should be.”

Elway, who played his whole career for the Denver Broncos, issued a statement saying he was devastated by the loss of his close friend.

“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck,” Elway said in a statement Wednesday. “There are no words to truly express the profound sadness I feel with the sudden loss of someone who has meant so much to me. My heart and deepest sympathies go out to Jeff’s wife, Cori; his children Carly, Sam and Jackson; and everyone who knew and loved him. Jeff will be deeply missed for the loyalty, wisdom, friendship and love he brought into my life and the lives of so many others.”

Elway was at the scene of the crash, witness Ali Simon told KESQ-TV of Palm Springs. Simon said she did not see the accident occur but saw a man lying on the ground surrounded by people and Elway on the phone.

Elway’s statement did not address his presence at the scene. Per TMZ‘s reporting, Elway was the one driving the golf cart at the time of the accident. KUSA-TV in Denver also cited an unnamed source saying Elway was driving. While Sperbeck fell out of the back of the cart, according to TMZ, there has also been “no indication that [Elway] did anything wrong” while at the wheel.

Law enforcement officials have not said who was driving the golf cart, and Elway did not confirm or deny it in a statement about Sperbeck’s death. Medical personnel at the scene didn’t find evidence suggesting Elway was drunk, Bianco told The Denver Post. He did not elaborate about how personnel reached that conclusion.

Bianco said first responders didn’t immediately call the sheriff’s office to the scene and typically would notify law enforcement if there was a concern. He said his agency got involved following media interest in the case and is reviewing surveillance footage and witness testimony. The investigation will be short, he said.

“It could be a matter of routine, or there may be some information they received that requires them to investigate it,” said Obayashi, who trains law enforcement officials on legal issues.

Sperbeck began managing Elway in 1990, when Elway was quarterback for the Broncos. He represented more than 100 NFL players during a three-decade career as an agent and business adviser.

He was best known as Elway’s longtime friend, business partner and agent who helped manage the Hall of Famer’s extensive business empire off the field, which included restaurants, car dealerships and a winery. Sperbeck managed Elway’s marketing and business ventures, and the two collaborated with winemaker Rob Mondavi Jr. in 2015 to co-found 7Cellars by John Elway.

He also co-founded Sullivan & Sperbeck, a sports marketing firm that was acquired by Octagon in 2001. Sperbeck directed Octagon’s football division from 2001-09, when he started The NOVO Agency, a sports management firm where he served as CEO and represented dozens of current and retired NFL players and coaches. The agency merged with Rep1 Sports in 2018.

Sperbeck was involved in numerous charitable endeavors.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.