Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes

Special Requirements

Request more information about earning a degree to become a sports agent.

A sports agent works to market an athlete or products that are related to that athlete to promote the athlete's career within his or her given sport. This means that the sports agent is responsible for meeting with team owners, managers, coaches and other individuals to promote the athlete that they represent. Much of a sports agent's day is spent networking, talking with other professionals in the sport and keeping abreast of current trends and information that may affect decisions that the agent recommends to the athlete.

In team and individual sports the agent works to negotiate contracts that are in the best interest of the athlete. This usually means getting a better salary, making provisions for injuries, or taking other options in lieu of salary increases. The sports agent makes recommendations to the athlete as to which option is best for him or her or which options are better over the long-term as opposed to just short-term benefits.

A sports agent must be knowledgeable about investments, business management, financial and risk analysis, as well as about the particular sport and the trends in the sport. Staying up-to-date on sports investment and market changes is critical for a sports agent. Excellent communication and negotiation skills are required for this position as is a high level of motivation and an ability to work long hours at the bargaining table. Often sports agents will be in constant contact with the athlete and coaches during negotiations and may have several negotiations on the table at one time. The ability to multitask is essential for a sports agent.

Common work activities include:

• Meeting with athletes, coaches, team owners and managers as required. Constant networking is essential in this career.
• Drawing up contracts, negotiating settlement offers and advising the athlete as to the best possible options for both the short and long-term financial gains.
• Completing risk and financial analysis on various contract or salary offers and providing this information to the athlete in a timely and accurate fashion.
• Traveling to different locations to represent the athlete in contract negotiations.
• Staying informed as to current trends in the sport or area that the athlete competes.
• Recruiting and marketing his or her services to other athletes in various sports or organizations to increase clients.
• Invoicing and collecting percentages or fees as outlined in the contract between the sports agent and the individual athlete.

A sports agent may have a degree in communcation, marketing, business, law, finance, or work for a sports management firm that represents many athletes.

For More Information, Contact:

Priority Sports Basketball
325 N. LaSalle
Suite 650
Chicago, IL 60654

Phone: 312.-66.00 |
Fax: 312.-66.5172
http://www.prioritysports.biz/basketball
[email protected]

The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research. (Using onet28)