One of the most important decisions you will make in your professional sporting career is choosing a Sports Agent. The type of agent you select can have far-reaching effects on your career, either positively or negatively. We will highlight some of the factors to consider before deciding on the sports agency that you choose to manage your career.
One of the most important things to consider is how transparent the agent or agency is. The best agencies provide full disclosure of all the nuances involved in professional sport and not only the positive aspects. Trust is critical in developing a mutually beneficial relationship between you and your sports agent; you have to trust your agent’s advice and believe that they have your best interest at heart. If you have any doubts about your agent’s intentions, you will not be fully committed to what they recommend, which will result in a strained relationship. This is never a good situation for a professional sports person’s career. So before deciding on your agent, please ask the questions, “Is the agent trustworthy? And “Is the Agency transparent and honest?”.
Another misnomer in the Sports Management Industry is that larger Sports agencies are better. This is not necessarily true; even though they have more resources and connections than boutique agencies, they also have more people under management. This sometimes results in the less valuable athletes not getting the personalized attention that they need to take their careers to the next level. This situation is less likely to arise when an athlete is managed by a boutique agency with fewer people under management. As a young sports professional, you should choose an agent that can and is willing to dedicate the time to your career that you need to achieve your full potential and also one that is accessible.
It is also vital that you select a Sports Agency or Agent with a good public image. Your agent will be responsible for negotiating contracts on your behalf, and they will be able to get you better deals if they have a good image in the industry. An agent or agency should have respect and good working relationships with key people in the industry, such as General Managers and Coaches. No one wants to negotiate with someone who has a questionable character or credibility issues; you, therefore, should do your research on any sports agency or agent that you are considering to ensure that no credibility surprises arise after you have committed to said agency or agent.
The world of professional sport is unforgiving, and players have a relatively short shelf life to earn as much as they can before injury or age forces them to give up competing. Players should be mindful of this and choose an agent with exceptional negotiating skills and sharp business acumen. Having an agent with these qualities will ensure that nothing is left on the table when contracts are being negotiated, helping you earn a fair share for the value that you bring as a professional sportsperson.
Finally, these are some essential qualities that athletes should look for when seeking a sports agent or agency. Give us a call today! We are a boutique sports agency that provides personalized attention to all athletes under management and pride ourselves on being honest and trustworthy in the industry.
