College Crunch

The professional sports field has become as glamorous and fraught with scandal as the movie business. Murder/suicides, tumultuous, high profile romances, criminal activities are recent news events which have all been associated with high profile athletes. The names of athletes are linked to world renowned actresses, models and singers. Athletes are hounded by the media, by corporate sponsors, by fans, even by other athletic teams. Even the coaches’ personal lives are reported as headline news. Now, more than ever, the athletes need a professional advisor to handle their public relations needs and to guide their business and personal decisions. In the absence of a knowledgeable and skilled advocate, athletes risk poor business and personal decisions which could, at the very least, tarnish their reputations and, at worst, ruin their careers.

A career as an athlete agent can be thrilling and exhilarating. Though a career as a sports agent does offer excitement; it requires hard work, long hours, self-motivation and is the source of an enormous amount of stress. An athlete agent must be on call twenty four hours a day, three hundred and sixty five days each year. And a successful athlete agent will have the experience and ability to remain a step ahead of their client, the media and all of the other players (not limited to the actual athletes) in the sports business. Negotiation and communication skills are an integral aspect of the athlete agent field. A person who lacks capabilities and expertise in these areas will not be successful as an athlete agent. These skills are necessary to achieve agreements between their clients, sponsors, managers, coaches and team owners that leave all parties satisfied. Athlete agents are responsible for managing the bulk of their clients’ business affairs and often much of their personal affairs as well, from personal relationships to filing tax returns.

High School

The path to becoming an athlete agent can begin in high school. Since a college degree will be required, high school students should complete all of the courses necessary to gain entry into a good college. Some high schools offer business law and business writing courses. These would be helpful in laying the groundwork for more intense study in these areas and developing a skill in them. Becoming part of a sports team in high school in any regard will help you to become familiar with the inherent aspects of a sports team; whether it is as an athletic member of the team or as an assistant. Devoting time as a volunteer to local leagues is also good experience. Any experience with athletes will be helpful in developing an understanding of the workings of a team and of the athletes themselves. Time spent on a debate team will increase and hone your communication and negotiation skills. Debating teaches you to anticipate your opponent’s arguments and to be prepared to respond without hesitation.

College

A four year degree is a requirement for an athlete agent. Many colleges offer sports management programs. But you can earn a degree in another field. Since the athlete agent field requires expertise in many areas, a person intending to become an athlete agent has the option of pursuing numerous degree options. Degree programs you may want to consider include marketing, business, accounting, law, communication and finance. A dual degree program would provide the opportunity to learn two of the fields in which you will need to develop a proficiency to be successful as an athlete agent. Athlete (sports) agents will need to comply with federal, state, league and university rules and regulations; be familiar with legal and financial issues such as ethics, contracts and investments; understand marketing, sales and endorsements; and possess the skills and knowledge to develop a career plan and post-career plan for their clients. However, if you choose this route make sure you take courses in sports management.

Again, it would be helpful to become involved with one of the colleges sports teams. You will have the opportunity to develop relationships with coaches and potentially come into contact with recruiters, other sports agents and possibly even future professional athletes. These connections could serve to promote you in the field after you graduate. Networking is an inherent aspect of a successful athlete agent career. Beginning early will serve to develop your skills in this area and provide an easy venue for developing early contacts which may serve you for years or years later. The experience of being part of a more intensive sports program will provide first hand experience dealing with this type of environment and offer an intimate picture of how athletes cope with it.

Though it isn’t a requirement for every sport, an advanced degree in certain fields can be helpful and augment your educational credentials. Some sports, like the National Football League, do require post graduate degrees. A law degree, for example, would provide you with the advantage of being capable of understanding, interpreting and knowing laws and regulations which impact and control both yours and your clients’ careers and conduct. Being familiar with contract and civil laws would protect you and your client. The same holds true for business and finance advanced degrees. You would want to take into consideration the time and money that would be dedicated to attaining your advanced degree and whether the benefits would mitigate the cost. Holding these degrees could also serve to secure your future in another field or as a second career until you are able to acquire a steady clientele to take care of your financial needs.

During your college years there are several steps you should be taking to launch your career. You may want to start by narrowing your choice of sport. The regulations which dictate an athlete agent’s conduct vary by venue and by sport. It can be extremely difficult to adhere to the regulations of more than one sport and to stay current on changes within these rules. Choosing one sport will allow you to be familiar with the regulations governing that particular sport and will limit the information you need to know. You should learn about the competition you will face in the sport you select. Understanding the competition you face may help you develop a viable career plan. Most importantly, find an internship at a sports management firm, sports marketing firm or, if possible, with an established sports organization. Once again, this will provide networking opportunities and experience.

Certification

After you have completed your education and earned your degree, you will be required to get certified as an athlete agent. The certification process can vary by sport. Regardless of which sport you select, you will be required to have a comprehensive understanding of the regulations and policies of that league among which include paying a membership fee and purchasing liability insurance. You should know your rights and responsibilities, league rules and be knowledgeable about the leagues collective bargaining agreement. You should also know salary cap information and players’ benefits. The process usually includes submission of a resume with your application and a background check to examine your criminal, financial and employment history. Some leagues require you to attend seminars or classes in order to be certified. And you may be required to complete a test.

Obtaining Clients

Once you have received your certification, you can begin the process of securing clients. This can be very challenging as the athlete agent field is swamped with competition. It may be advisable to begin your career with an established sport management or marketing firm. The firms generally have established contacts in the field and can provide you with leads and introductions. You will also have the time to gain some experience with the duties and tasks involved with being an athlete agent. You can learn by watching more experienced agents and witnessing their successes and, inevitably, failures. Time spent at a firm will help you develop the contacts and experience you will need to be successful.

Never stop networking. Attend events where players and other important individuals generally are found. Talk with your colleagues. Meet coaches, general managers, owners and executives. Always present yourself as you would to a potential client because you never know when you are actually talking to one. Attend scouting events, minor league sporting events and games, collegiate games. Make sure you are familiar with the regulations on approaching potential clients so you don’t violate any rules. You may not acquire a client on any one given day, but you could make yourself known to someone who will be looking for representation at some point down the line. The internet can be a valuable tool also. Sports agent directories can provide invaluable advertising. You will need to make yourself stand out from the multitude of others, thought.

You will need to develop relationships with potential clients, coaches, managers and other important players in the field. Attend sporting and philanthropy events where you may be able to reach out to individuals in the field. Build relationships with the companies who often extend endorsement opportunities to athletes. Endeavor to exceed the expectations of your clients and other business contacts. Anticipate their needs. And always follow through with your commitments. The people you deal with need to know you are reliable and can deliver what you promise. Perseverance and hard work are essential to success in the athlete agent field. Be prepared to work at a moments notice and to develop opportunities that present themselves and to develop opportunities that don’t.