Print This Post
Picking an Agent
For a young athlete turning pro, picking the right agent can be the most important decision that he will ever make in his life. The right agent will take care of their contract negotiations and present them with a team of professionals to help in other important aspects of their life.
However, there are many agents out there that will say anything to a young athlete and tell them what they want to hear and not what they need to know in order for them to sign on the dotted line. In addition, there are many young athletes who do not know what questions they should ask , the correct answers they need to hear, and what inquiries they need to make prior to signing with an agent.
Many agents will tell a young athlete that they are the best thing since sliced bread and that he can make him rich. They give the athlete inducements such as money, women, and other material gifts before the draft just to get them to sign with him.
This is a problem as approximately 80% of all NFL players will be broke, unemployed, and/or bankrupt within two years after their athletic careers are over. This is regardless of how high they went in the draft or how much their salary and signing bonuses were.
The agent’s job nowadays is a lot more then just negotiating a contract worth millions of dollars. An athlete needs an agent that will mentor him and advise him to make smart decisions and to manage his money.
So when choosing an agent, ask the right questions and listen to the answers carefully.
Look into his background; talk with other athletes he represents and get the inside scoop from them.
Review the team of people that the agents surrounds themselves with. Financial planner, lawyers, PR people, marketing team. Are the respected in their known fields?
Check to see if any former clients have filed lawsuits or claims against the agent.
Look and see how the agent himself lives, is he married, does he have a family?
Think about how the agent does business; if they went bent the rules in the way they tried to induce you, what makes you think they will be honest with you throughout your contract with them.
Listen to what your head coach has to say about certain agents. There are some agents that college coaches forbid from hanging around their campus due to problems in the past.
Let your parents get involved in the process. They should always have your best interests at heart.
Do your homework on the agent; do not just listen to what he has to say. Check him out thoroughly! Remember this is your pro careeer that you have worked hard to achieve that they will help manage. Never forget that they work for you and not you for them.
Leave a Reply
Visit The ProWife Locker Room!
The ProWife Advertisements
