What To Look For When Selecting An Agent

Attorney/Agent vs. Non-Attorney/Agent: Your agent should have a law degree.  Attorneys are trained to carefully and thoroughly review documents and to be critical of all contract provisions.  This applies not only to negotiating the player contract, but also to the typical business transactions players become involved with, such as buying or leasing real estate or starting a new business enterprise.

Experience: Experience is very important.  Experience makes a difference.  With experience comes a greater understanding of the subject matter, which minimizes mistakes and enhances your chances of successfully accomplishing your goals.

Academic Credentials: Academic credentials are important when you are choosing an agent.  A serious agent will have at least an undergraduate degree and, preferably, a law degree.  In addition to the Major League Baseball Player’s Association’s regulations governing contract advisors, agents who are attorneys are held to industry standards of conduct and ethics.

Representation Experience: An agent should have knowledge and experience in contract negotiations, as well as all aspects of athlete representation.  This includes preparing the first-year client for the MLB Draft, vigorously promoting clients to MLB teams, protecting a client’s rights under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, effective representation related to endorsements and public relations, financial and banking advice, tax preparation, post-career counseling, and the customary advice and counseling that goes into a successful player-agent relationship.