Suggestions
- Get references from other athletes in your profession. Some agents specialize in certain sports. The agent that gets his name in the sports programs the most may not be the best for your sport. College resources can also help identify legitimate agents.
- Check a neutral source like the Sports Agent Directory. It has a long list of active agents and their clients.
- Talk to as many different agents as you can. Ask each agent about his past and present clients, what bonuses or perks he was able to get those clients that other agents could not, and what he expects from you.
- Check into the background of any agent. If they are truly what they claim they are, the agent will not have a problem with this responsible act. You also need to consider what the agent's reputation is among the business people in your sport. For example, some agents have developed a reputation for holding their clients out of training camps until a contract is signed to his satisfaction. In some cases, the agent and the owner have a history of bad negotiations, and neither one is willing to give in to the other. This could make life uncomfortable for an athlete who just wants to play.
Tip
- High school or college athletes with college eligibility left are not allowed to sign with an agent. In some sports, notably baseball, a high school athlete who wants the option of attending college but knows he will be drafted by a pro league, can retain an agent as an "adviser." The player can't sign with that agent or accept any money from him without losing college eligibility.
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