Become a Sports Agent
Sports agents lead exciting lives filled with travel, high-powered parties and events, and of course, up close and personal access to athletes and sports teams. They have a deep understanding of sports recruiting and drafting, and they're excellent negotiators willing to take big risks for their clients. Read on for information about the life of a sports agent, the education and skills you need to land a job, and how to build a successful sports agent career.
Contents
Steps
Prepare to Become A Sports Agent
- Know what the job entails. Sports agents handle athletes' employment with a team and endorsements with corporations in exchange for a small percentage of the athlete's salary. The agent's role is to help manage the athlete's career by negotiating the best deals possible for the athlete.
- Agents are responsible for presenting their clients with the options available to them and using their expertise in the field to help guide the clients toward the best or most lucrative choices.
- Agents market their clients as candidates for teams or company endorsements. A background in marketing and communications is helpful for this purpose.
- Agents act as their clients' representative in dealings with team owners, coaches, and executives. In order to broker deals effectively, they must understand legal language in contracts and be aware of rules and regulations that apply to the client in a given situation.
- Some agents work as individuals or start their own agencies, while others work for large sports agencies.
- Understand the benefits and drawbacks of a sports agent's work. Agents who represent supremely talented or famous clients receive a lot of the perks that come with fame. They may earn a hefty paycheck, have access to the movers and shakers in the professional sports domain, and travel around the world with their clients. The drawbacks include long hours, a lot of time away from family, and little guarantee of financial success. Great sports agents have the following traits:
- They're charismatic. Sports agents meet with team managers, coaches, owners, executives, and any number of other important people on behalf of their clients. They have to be outgoing and consistently "on" - whether that means talking people up at parties or pitching their clients' skills in a boardroom.
- They're willing to take risks. Most sports leagues have more agents than players, and only 5 percent of sports agents bring in over $100,000 per year. In such a competitive field, agents have to be willing to put a lot on the line for their clients. They may have to put in a few years of work before earning a steady paycheck, and the long hours can take a toll on their personal lives.
- They're self-directed. Sports agents are scrappy go-getters who whose livelihood depends on their ability to woo new clients. Even agents who work for large agencies are expected to bring in clients independently.
- Be obsessed with sports. Sports agents know the intricacies of the recruiting and drafting process for various sports before they decide to make sports their career. They're knowledgeable about the major sports and the leagues, teams, athletes and staff that play a part in the industry.
Education and Skills of a Sports Agent
- Get a college degree. Sports agents have at least a BA or BS, and often a higher level degree. Majors like sports management, marketing, communications, business or pre-law are excellent preparation for a career as a sports agent.
- Sports management firms offer courses for people who already have a degree and want to learn the specific skills that come into play in sports management.
- Get experience. Major sports agencies offer internships or shadow programs for people interested in learning more about the field. Having an internship can also give you a better shot at getting a job with an agency once you've completed your education.
- Consider what sport you want to specialize in. Most agents focus on one sport and become experts on the players and regulations in that particular realm.
- Think about whether you want to work with professional or lower league players. The competition is much higher in the professional leagues, but the pay is lower when you're dealing with lower leagues.
- Get certified. The requirements for certification vary between leagues, but you will definitely be asked to display an understanding of league policies. Before being granted certification, you'll also have to pay a fee of up to $1,500 and get professional liability insurance.
- Study up on the rules, bargaining agreement, player's benefits, and agents' rights and responsibilities of your chosen league. Read books and websites on the subject, and talk with people who work for the league for detailed information.
- Apply to get certification by sending in your personal information, fee, and resume.
- Your league may require the completion of one or more courses before granting certification.
Build a Career as a Sports Agent
- Find a job with an agency. Build on the connections you made as an intern, and continue networking in the field. Join the Sports Agent Directory to find job opportunities. Network at events to meet players, coaches, and managers.
- Look for players who need representation. Go to scouting events at colleges to find potential clients. Remember to sell yourself as an effective agent who can bring fame and fortune to your clients. Develop a nose for picking potential superstars.
- Join a sports management firm. Firms will alert you to networking opportunities and provide guidance as you're starting your career as a sports agent.
- Consider getting a higher degree. Sports agents may find law degrees or master's degrees in sports management useful. Pursue one of these options to gain a greater understanding about contract negotiation, creative effective branding, or other areas of expertise that will keep you on the cutting edge in this highly competitive field.
Tips
- Invest in a nice, dapper looking suit. It shows the client that you are VERY serious about your job. The fancier you look, the better.
Warnings
- You may be asked to consent to a background check before receiving certification.
- Certain leagues may grant certifications during only certain parts of the year.
- Get a degree before you attempt to take in new clients. Not only is it illegal to not have a degree, but it also shows your clients you can't give them the two things they want most, money and fame.
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