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Professional Sports Jobs - Becoming a Sports Agent
By Sid | May 12, 2008
The life of a sports agent is not necessarily a glamorous one. We always think of high rollers who drive Porsche cars and hobnob with the biggest and brightest athletes. This is the life for some who have made the most of their lucky breaks but it is not the norm for every agent.
A lot of responsibility is part of the job of a Sports agent. The movies did get it right when they show agents with some sort of phone permanently attached to their ear. The job involves constant contact with players, agencies, marketing people, sports teams, and others. Communication is key when recruiting new clients and maintaining portfolios for existing clients.
Agents are responsible for all aspects of a player’s career. Endorsements, investments, and professional appearances have become a part of the athletic package for high profile stars. A movie or commercial role could pop up any time. A sports agent will negotiate the contract. Athletes participate in modeling campaigns and photo shoots.
The life of a sports agent is hectic especially when recruiting clients. The hardest part of the job is finding the clients to represent. You can have all of the education in the world, but if you don’t know how to network and “be seen” it will be a long hard road to success.
To begin, get an education. Get that education at a university that has a major sports program. Their athletic degree programs will be well-funded and more diverse than at a smaller school with a modest program. Opportunities to network with the players, athletic administration, and sports boosters will present themselves at a school that gets lots of media coverage for its sports programs. Picking the brains of college recruiters will give you a hint as to what a pro sports agent does.
Many sports agents also get their degree in another area. It is not uncommon to see a sports agent who also doubles as a lawyer. An agent does act as a lawyer when they review contracts and they must manage an athlete’s financial portfolio not unlike a financial advisor. Exposing yourself to the ‘business of sports’ is vitally important.
A bachelor’s degree in sports administration or another area of sports is a must. Agents who plan to join an agency need the competitive edge to get in the door. A master’s degree is another step in the right direction. Agencies want the best and the brightest agents working for them to attract new clients.
Beginning your career in sports with an agency has its advantages. An agency has already established its reputation in the sporting world. You will be able to use the name to lend credibility when recruiting clients. Also, agencies have more money at their disposal for advertising and wining and dining potential clients.
Many sports agents are outgoing and have the entrepreneurial spirit to go it alone. Working independently has its obvious drawbacks like not being a recognized name. The kind of A-list sports clients that will bring you big bucks will not be banging down your door just yet. But there are also benefits. You are your own boss. If you decide that it is okay to take a chance on a lesser known player, you can.
So what does it take to be successful in this competitive business? An outgoing personality is first and foremost. It takes a strong person to have doors slammed in their faces over and over again before they find a client who will take a chance on them.
In sports, it really is about who you know. Networking is how you make contact with people in the business that can help you get ahead. But, don’t be a leech. Have something tangible to offer a business contact if they do business with you. Identify your best skill and work to develop it into a marketable asset. There are numerous other athletic jobs that could be appealing for those who think a sports agent position may not be the career move for them.
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