“Talent recognizes talent” is a saying used in sports, entertainment and other business enterprises. A good basketball player, for example, will recognize another good basketball player better than a fan or a scout. A good lawyer will recognize another good lawyer.
 
It’s not known where the saying originated.  “However, since talent recognizes talent, Baird and Ashe have learned to respect each other” was cited in a political context in a 1972 newspaper. The saying appears to have been popularized in the 1990s. “Here’s the studio executive problem in a nutshell: genius recognizes genius; talent recognizes talent; but mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself” was cited in a 1995 book about Hollywood.
 
 
24 February 1972, Kingsport (TN) Times, “Ashe traps Democrats” by Ellis Binkley,pg. 3-D, col. 1:
However, since talent recognizes talent, Baird and Ashe have learned to respect each other.
     
Google Books
Everything I needed to know about succeeding in Hollywood I learned from my pit-bull
By David Chasman
Beverly Hills, CA: Dove Books
1995
Pg. 8:
Here’s the studio executive problem in a nutshell: genius recognizes genius; talent recognizes talent; but mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself. Most studio executives are simply not equipped to render literary judgments, script evaluations, or talent assessments. They know only how to accept established reputations.
 
Sex McGinty’s Pseudo-Lit Imporeum
Friday, April 25, 2003
SEX SELLS!
ROLLING STONE INTERVIEW WITH SEX McGINTY
Interviewed by Joshua Rosenzweig, June 31st, 2040
(...)
RS: Yes, well, in retrospect it’s hard to dismiss the contributions you and The Dupes made to popular music. But did you always feel this way?
 
SM: From the fucking get-go. And I mean that just as it sounds. I knew that there was something with these guys. It didn’t take a whole lot of refining really. Talent recognizes talent. My job was to merely rein the energy into something… for lack of a better word, I’ll say “palatable”.
   
Google Groups: alt.music.van-halen
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (live on VH1 Classic)
GoBucky
2/23/07
(...)
Vedder’s inducting REM…his 4th after the Doors, Neil Young, and The Ramones. Of course, talent recognizes talent…besides Kid Rock of course!
 
Twitter
DMwrecks
‏@DMwrecks
Welcome @coolsi, @kentnichols, @XanGoX1Concept, @laurelshere, @HumanityCritic, @mamitamala, @Martin_Dubow. Talent recognizes Talent!
10:34 AM - 18 Dec 2008
 
Facebook
JMMA Group
May 19, 2015
When talent recognizes talent:
“I don’t think he even knows how good he is.”
- Eric Clapton about John Mayer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzfrXiD1_Rg
 
Twitter
no
‏@JeremyMonjo
They say talent recognizes talent, and thus, the inverse is true. JJ Abrams surrounded himself with sycophants and enablers in his (12/370)
4:43 PM - 2 Nov 2015
   
chapelboro (Chapel Hill, NC)
Cash Expected to Make Huge Impact on UNC-Duke Matchup
By Avery Trendel
Posted November 5, 2015 at 5:58 am
(...)
There’s an old saying in sports that talent recognizes talent.
 
So if there’s anyone that can speak to the ability of Duke’s super safety, it’s UNC’s own first round NFL prospect—senior offensive guard Landon Turner.