Showdown
What
is the role of the sports agent?
An
Insider's View
By
Ralph Cindrich
Sports Agent
An
NFL veteran is going into the last year of his contract –
a high draft choice only now coming of age. He could sign for
a big bonus if he has an exceptional season and he remains healthy,
but he turns 31 before becoming a Free Agent.
Does
he roll the dice for the bigger unknown contract or take the sure
thing that insures his future? It's a matter of philosophy and
experience --- and an agent's advice is critical to the decision.
The
fan believes that agents play a major role in all decisions --
like telling a player under contract not to report. Maybe the
agent is behind it -- but few fans accept that it is the player's
decision to hold out because "these problems never existed
before agents."
But
athletes are different today than in years past -- in all ways
-- and they require professional assistance during and after their
playing days. A large part of the agent's job is to maximize the
earnings of the athlete -- the "Show me the Money" contract
that we have come to know, but that's only a part of it.
Surveys
that we commissioned demonstrate that most athletes are clueless
about taxes, investments, and business-related issues. The chiseled,
muscular body disguises their youth and inexperience. Who knew
about such things at that age?
The
limited earning years for athletes require starting the search
for a second career after the rookie year, even for the highly
successful athlete. Dan Marino doesn't have to work, but he entered
a second career that he enjoys.
An
extremely talented athlete can get away with just about anything
-- if only for a short time -- but not so for the vast majority.
Business rules must be learned to survive and those rules serve
the athlete well in his second career.
Athletes
need guidance in every step of the process: Physical and mental
preparation, nutrition, interview preparation, setting goals,
studying, analyzing strengths and weaknesses, and otherwise learning
how to be a pro on and off-the-field.
These
rules are not found in their playbooks.
©PSR
