Obituary

Jim Solano, a legend in the sports agency industry, a philanthropist in the community, professor and loving family man died peacefully at his home on January 26 surrounded by family. He was 81 years old. Born January 9, 1944, in Philadelphia to Nicholas and Elizabeth (nee Mullica) Solano. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Jennifer “Teri” (nee Jewell) Solano, his daughter Lesley (nee Solano) Dente and his son-in-law Chris Dente; beloved and adored “Grandad” to Jack, Kate, and Andrew Dente; brother to Anthony (pre-deceased), Richie, Bobby, Johnny, Marie, and Penny.

Jim received his BS, MBA and MS in Taxation degrees from Temple University. After graduate school Jim began a five-decade career as an Associate Professor teaching accounting and taxation, initially at Temple University and later at Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science (now Thomas Jefferson University). In 2017 Jim received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Accounting from the Fox School of Business at Temple University.

Jim earned his CPA license in 1966 and started a CPA practice serving individuals and small businesses. Jim grew his practice steadily to include physician groups and professional athletes. Jim leveraged his relationships with professional athletes to launch a sports agency business specializing in NFL contracts for players and coaches and later to include PGA golf professionals. Jim has represented over 800 players and coaches, including 500 from the Eagles as an NFL Player Agent and was highly respected by players, coaches and front office management for his professionalism, knowledge, and experience with the game. He represented 18 of the 40 players on the Eagles 1980 Super Bowl team and 30 players and coaches on Buddy Ryan’s Eagles teams from 1986 through 1990. In 2021, he was selected by client and longtime friend, Harold Carmichael to present him for his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Solano was a philanthropist that also gave back to the Philadelphia community in a significant way raising millions of dollars for charities. He was the Founder of the Jerome Brown Foundation which raised funds for underprivileged children and was the Co-Founder of the Otho Davis Foundation along with Carmichael and Keith Krepfle, awarding two scholarships annually. This past year for the 25th Anniversary of the Foundation, the keynote event featured Nick Foles, Jason Kelce, and others to recreate the “Philly Special” raising thousands of dollars for the Foundation. Jim was a long-term member of Llanerch Country Club, where he enjoyed golfing and playing cards with his friends. 

Of all the successes Jim Solano had, the most important part of his life was his family. He was incredibly proud and loved spending time with his grandchildren sharing stories and time together, as well as watching and cheering for them on the sidelines at their sporting events. “They are my entire world”. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Otho Davis Scholarship Foundation in memory of Jim Solano, 120 Liberty Way, Deptford, NJ 08096.