Tips for choosing your agent:

• Get help!  In making your decision, get advice from parents, coaches, professors, and other athletes who have been through the process.
  

• If you have time, take it!  Do not rush into a decision.  Be leery of an agent who is worried about the heightened security around you, your friends or family.  Reputable and confident agents will welcome your support system, as they understand the importance of the decision you are about to make, and how concerned your friends and family are with that decision.
  

• Determine exactly what services you will need from an agent, and if the agent is qualified (education, training, experience) to fulfill those needs.
  

• Determine what services are offered by the agent in his or her scope of representation, and which services are provided for the agent fee as compared to additional fees such as legal fees, consulting fees, and expenses.
  

• Learn about the agent’s reputation by asking others, including other players and clients, and by examining his company's credentials.
  

• Look for an agent who will be committed to devoting his time to your interests in a passionate way.
  

• Make every attempt possible to interview prospective agents.....looking them in the eye can be very enlightening.
  

Questions for consideration:

• How comfortable do you and your family feel with the prospective agent who will manage your career and/or post-career matters?
  

• What specific strategy has the agent or agency planned for managing your career and marketing you?
  

• Just how important are you to the agent who is recruiting you?
  

• Will the agent recruiting you be responsible in managing your money or referring you to an experienced and bonded money manager?
  

• Is the agent concerned about integrity, or does he just have the intention to use your skill to enhance his wealth?
  

• Does the agent have the time and ability to devote full-time attention to you?
  

Things to be aware of when selecting an agent:

• Agents sometimes hire “runners” or “legmen” to contact and offer inducements to athletes prior to their senior year.  Accepting money or gifts from these “runners” will terminate your status as an amateur athlete and you will likely lose your college eligibility.  It seems like the NCAA always finds out.
  

• If you are a top-notch player, you may be offered money.  As you know, if you accept that money, you will lose any remaining college eligibility.
  

• Agents might look for reimbursement from previous favors when you do sign a contract.  This type of agent might say, “Remember that money I loaned you, or remember that car you were driving?”
  

Ward Coffman of Sports Management Worldwide

A Total Sports Management Relationship

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