Executive search firm ZRG acquired Turnkey Search, an executive search firm focused on sports, entertainment and media, according to an announcement today. Its clients include NFL and NBA teams.

With the acquisition, Turnkey’s business will now operate as TurnkeyZRG. In addition, Len Perna will continue to lead the business; Perna is founder, chairman and CEO of Turnkey.

“We landed the best sports executive search firm, and the No. 1 talent recruiter in Len Perna,” said Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG Partners. “Len started Turnkey 25 years ago, and consistently won gold-standard clients from billion-dollar competitors.”

Turnkey handled 56 searches in sports, media and entertainment in 2020, according to ZRG. Its clients included NFL clubs the Falcons, Dolphins, Panthers, Rams, Texans and 49ers. It also worked with NBA clubs including the Bulls, Magic, Pistons and Trail Blazers.

The company also worked with the USA Olympic program. In December, it placed Jim Phillips as commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

ZRG’s announcement included a number of accolades from sports figures regarding Trunkey’s work.

“Len and his team helped me turn around the Miami Dolphins’ business by assembling the best front office in sports,” said Steve Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins.

In addition, TurnkeyZRG hired Tammy Castadot as VP. Castadot recently served as the global talent recruitment director at Legends, the agency co-owned by the New York Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys.

ZRG had previously acquired the sports practice of Ventura Partners, including Chad Chatlos and Katy Young Staudt. Chatlos now leads the TurnkeyZRG work in college sports, football coaches and basketball coaches. In the last 30 days, Chatlos has assisted in new head football coaching hires at the University of Arizona, the University of South Carolina, the University of Texas and the Atlanta Falcons, according to the company.

ZRG is based in Rochelle Park, New Jersey.