Sports Agents: Heroes Or Slimeballs?

The job of a sports agent is far more difficult than one might think. The job description includes salesman, negotiator, babysitter, therapist, motivational speaker, parent, big brother, and confidant. Not only do they have to be proficient with regards to laws, rule, and regulations, they are the liaison between billionaire owners and ego maniacal athletes. Inevitably there will be disagreements and differences in opinion about how an athlete should be monetarily compensated. Ownership can be stingy and athletes can be greedy. It's up to the agent to find the common ground.

The job is further complicated by dealing with athletes at different stages of their career. An all star gold glove shortstop who's a 5 time world series champion wants a 5 year deal, but he's 36 years old and by all accounts his skills are diminishing. Ownership wants a 3 year deal at $6,000,000 less than the player is requesting. How would you handle this situation? An all world cornerback in the prime of his career is arguably the best player at his position yet he earns 16 times less than the 2nd best player at his position. He is under contract, but he is also an integral part of a team that is capable of winning the Super Bowl. Both sides dig in their heels and the entire summer is a stalemate. How would you handle this situation? A young man's stock falls in the NBA draft amid speculation he is a malcontent with a bad attitude. Someone finally takes a chance on him and less than a quarter of the way into the season he gets kicked out of practice for arguing with the coach. How do you handle this situation?

It's important to remember sports agents are the key to an athlete's dreams and aspirations. They negotiate contracts that give players financial freedom they never imagined. In the process they may have to lie, cheat, and steal to get the job done, but that's the nature of the business. When dealing with such volatile personalities on both ends there is no linear path to success. Hero or slimeball? A good sports agent has to be a little of both.