A career as a sports agent is not only potentially lucrative; it is also very exciting and challenging.
Sports agents have the opportunity to travel to many places, attend high-powered events and get up close and personal with famous athletes.
Financial rewards can vary greatly from one sports agent to another, depending on the market values of the athletes they represent. The top sports agents in the U.S. can earn as much as tens of millions of dollars a year, but most of the agents who are managing athletes in a major American sports league make tens of thousands of dollars a year.
Understanding the Role of a Sports Agent
Basically, the role of a sports agent is to help manage an athlete’s career.
Sports agents have to let their athletes know all the options that are available to them and provide the necessary guidance to help them make the right decisions. They are also responsible for marketing their clients to teams and companies that may be interested in offering endorsements.
Additionally, sports agents need to represent their clients in dealings with owners, executives and coaches of sports teams, and have a thorough understanding of all the rules and regulations that apply to them.
How to Become a Successful Sports Agent?
There are a number of skills and traits that aspiring sports agents should possess if they want to succeed in their careers.
These include interpersonal communication and networking skills, public relation skills, organizational skills, negotiation skills, business management and risk analysis skills, knowledge of the law, ability to deal with stress, and honesty and integrity. Of course, they also need to be very passionate and knowledgeable about sports.
Aspiring sports agents should obtain at least a Bachelor’s degree in sports management, business management, marketing, communications or pre-law. Those who wish to go further in their careers may want to consider pursuing a Master’s degree.
After completing their studies, they may have to get certified. Different states and leagues have different certification requirements, but in most cases, sports agents are required to undergo background check and registration, and pay a registration or licensing fee.
The Most Successful Sports Agents in the U.S.
Scott Boras is presently the most successful and influential sports agent in the U.S.
Over his 30-plus-year career, he has represented some of the most highly-valued players in the MLB, including Alex Rodriguez, Mark Texiera, Matt Holiday, Prince Fielder, Stephen Strasburg, Manny Ramirez and others. Currently, the contracts he negotiated amount to about $1.66 billion.
Another leading sports agent in the country is Arn Tellem.
Named the top agent by Sporting News between 2003 and 2006, he counts among his clients famous people who make a fortune out of shooting basketball hoops, such as Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, LaMarcus Aldridge, Joe Johnson, Al Horford and Marc Gasol. Other successful American sports agents include Tom Condon, Drew Rosenhaus, Ben Dogra, Don Meehan, Eugene Parker and Mark Steinburg.
Professional athletes are now making more money than ever before, which means that there has never been a better time to have a career as a sports agent.
About the Author: John McMalcolm is a freelance writer who writes on a wide range of subjects, from social media marketing to careers.
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