Do I Need An Agent?
The days of a typical parent or family attorney competently representing a NFL player are over. The nuances of contract negotiations, pre-draft conditioning and career counseling have reached the point where only a full-time experienced professional can fully meet the needs of his clients. Any player, who is willing to put his career in the hands of anyone less, is likely underestimating the complexities of modern representation.
Do NCAA rules allow me to speak to an agent?
NCAA rules do not prohibit agents from having contact with prospective student-athletes, current student-athletes and/or their families or friends. |
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What the NCAA rules do clearly state is that no agreement – oral and/or written – may be in place between an agent and a student-athlete (nor their families or friends), nor may a student-athlete accept benefits from an agent, until his or her eligibility has expired.
So along those lines, there are no restrictions between agents and student-athletes in the NCAA rules/bylaws as far as communicating through social networking … AS LONG AS no oral and/or written agreement has been made.
What the NCAA rules/bylaws state in specific regard to coaches contact with recruits through social networking is that the one-to-one forms of communication through those sites (direct messages, emails, etc.) are allowed. What is not permitted in regard to social networking sites are that a coach may not post messages on their own walls or Twitter pages about a recruit, nor post messages on a recruit’s wall/Twitter page.
Also, please note that these rules are for Division I and Division II ONLY. Division III does not allow any form of communication through social networking sites.
From this, I gather that agents not only can Facebook message/Twitter Direct Message potential clients, but can post on their walls and @ reply to them as well. As Cam stated, there are no restrictions between agents and student-athletes in the NCAA rules/bylaws as far as communicating through social networking.
When Should I Retain an Agent?
Retaining an Agent is a critical career decision and should be given the consideration it deserves. While you may not sign with an agent during the season, it is the ideal time to evaluate and compare, provided that you remain focused on football and your academic work.
You should be prepared to make an educated decision on an agent soon after your season is over. When your season is over and you have found a trustworthy agent with a strong background and credentials, it would be the appropriate time to make your selection. The sooner the decision is made the sooner you can begin preparing for the start of your professional career; the NFL combine, individual workouts, and the draft, and the sooner your agent can begin working for you.
What is a fair fee for an Agent to Charge?
As of 1999, the NFLPA permits agents to charge a commission of only 3% of a player’s salary. Some agents, however, mask their fees by charging their clients for routine business expenses.
When Should an Agent get paid?
Your agent should only be paid as you get paid, not before. Do not agree to pay an agent up front for anything.
What Should I sign?
Every player who is represented by a NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor is required to sign a “Standard Representation Agreement” (available from the NFLPA or Sports Capital Group on request). This agreement should be read carefully and should never be signed with spaces left blank.
Some states require a “notice” be attached to the contract. This is to notify the player that under state law he has a certain period to terminate the representation agreement without any repercussions. You can contact us to find out what notice your state requires, if any.
What should be in the “Representation Agreement”?
An agreement between an agent and a player should contain:
- The NFLPA Standard Representation Agreement.
- Any state required notice(s), if any.
- Additional services to be provided by the agent.
- Any fees to be paid by the player for additional services. |
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