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What fields of study are beneficial to a career as a sports agent?
I'm interested in working in the sports world, but still trying to figure out in what regard. The ideas of sports law and sports psychology appeal to me, but not sure how to put them to use? Sports agent is one career that comes to mind. #sports-management #sport
2 answers
Sunitha V
Sunitha’s Answer
How to Become a Sports Agent
Sports agents act on behalf of athletes, negotiating contracts and endorsement deals so as to maximize the value for their client. Agents also help to promote the athletes they represent by keeping them in the public consciousness and raising their value in the eyes of prospective employers. Sports agents might work directly for the individuals they are promoting or in an agency alongside other sports agents. As such, there are no formal sports agent education requirements, although degrees in business, law or sports management may be highly beneficial.
There are however, general steps to take to become a sports agent:
Earn a bachelors degree in an applicable field
Get licensed and registered in your state
Earn an advanced degree or take on professional development opportunities
Sports Agent Requirements
Degree Level
Master's degree encouraged, but no specific degree required
Degree Fields
Law, business, sports management
Licensure/Registration
License and/or registration required in several states
Key Traits/Skills
Charisma, professional attitude, persuasiveness; willingness to travel; strong communication and argumentation skills; knowledge of marketing and law
While there is not one specific degree required to become an agent for athletes, education in areas of law, marketing, and management are necessary, even if it is obtained outside of a conventional degree program. Experience playing in the sport you intend to represent can be an advantage, but is not considered mandatory.
Other key sports agent qualifications include charisma and charm - which can help win over potential sponsors and clients alike. They should be personable and professional with everyone they meet, as reputation plays an important role in their industry. Excellent communication skills are also a must, as contract negotiations have little room for ambiguity. Agents often have as little as a day to win over a potential client, so a talent for persuasiveness and the ability to argue effectively may serve them well. Travel is common for sports agents, who must visit schools or sports teams across the country to find new talent or travel with the client to games and promotional events.
Sports Agent Degrees
There are three primary college majors of relevance to those who intend to become sports agents:
Law
Business
Sports management
Since sports agents are heavily involved in contract negotiation, an understanding of contract law is considered essential, so at least some level of legal education is recommended. When looking at sports management degrees, consider those that are more oriented towards business, rather than facilities, equipment, or exercise. While a bachelor's degree in one of these areas may help to get your foot in the door, most agents operate with a master's degree, often one that complements their undergraduate education to cover as much of these three areas as possible.
Master's degree programs in sports management often include internships with agencies or other sports-related organizations, which offer critical real-world experience and networking opportunities. A Master of Business Administration degree program can also be extremely useful, providing knowledge of leadership to forge ahead on your client's behalf and the business acumen needed at the negotiating table.
Early Career as a Sports Agent
Whether in the context of a degree program or without the help of a school, internships with agencies are a common way to begin a career as a sports agent. Internships provide an opportunity to learn about the field while assisting an experienced agent, and they give the agency the chance to see what you have to offer their business. Several states require that sports agents obtain a license or register with the state in order to operate. Licensure and registration requirements can vary substantially between states, but often consist of a background check and a simple application, with associated fees. After receiving any necessary license, you may begin working with clients already at the agency or seek out your own.
Later Career as a Sports Agent
Sports agents are likely to build up a stable of talent whom the agent will represent for the duration of their careers. Agents will still need to recruit new clients to replace those who retire or otherwise leave athletics as well as try to use their reputation attract established professionals into switching agencies. After years of experience working for an agency, an agent might wish to go out on their own. While the head of an agency might see to a few of the major names that they represent, they may focus on operating the business at this point. Agents looking to advance their careers can also consider moving into related fields, such as scouting for teams.
Sports Agent Salary and Industry Information
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics determined that the average salary of a sports agent (and other business managers of artists, performers, and athletes) was $90,930. Agents predominantly work in California, New York, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas, although any area with a large number of universities with athletics programs is likely to have sports agents working there in some capacity.
Arun Kumar
Arun’s Answer
Sports agents lead exciting lives filled with travel, high-powered parties and events, and of course, up close and personal access to athletes and sports teams. They have a deep understanding of sports recruiting and drafting, and they're excellent negotiators willing to take big risks for their clients. Read on for information about the life of a sports agent, the education and skills you need to land a job, and how to build a successful sports agent career.
Know what the job entails. Sports agents handle athletes' employment with a team and endorsements with corporations in exchange for a small percentage of the athlete's salary. The agent's role is to help manage the athlete's career by negotiating the best deals possible for the athlete.
Agents are responsible for presenting their clients with the options available to them and using their expertise in the field to help guide the clients toward the best or most lucrative choices.
Agents market their clients as candidates for teams or company endorsements. A background in marketing and communications is helpful for this purpose.
Agents act as their clients' representative in dealings with team owners, coaches, and executives. In order to broker deals effectively, they must understand legal language in contracts and be aware of rules and regulations that apply to the client in a given situation.
Some agents work as individuals or start their own agencies, while others work for large sports agencies.
Understand the benefits and drawbacks of a sports agent's work. Agents who represent supremely talented or famous clients receive a lot of the perks that come with fame. They may earn a hefty paycheck, have access to the movers and shakers in the professional sports domain, and travel around the world with their clients. The drawbacks include long hours, a lot of time away from family, and little guarantee of financial success. Great sports agents have the following traits:
They're charismatic. Sports agents meet with team managers, coaches, owners, executives, and any number of other important people on behalf of their clients. They have to be outgoing and consistently "on" - whether that means talking people up at parties or pitching their clients' skills in a boardroom.
They're willing to take risks. Most sports leagues have more agents than players, and only 5 percent of sports agents bring in over $100,000 per year. In such a competitive field, agents have to be willing to put a lot on the line for their clients. They may have to put in a few years of work before earning a steady paycheck, and the long hours can take a toll on their personal lives.
They're self-directed. Sports agents are scrappy go-getters who whose livelihood depends on their ability to woo new clients. Even agents who work for large agencies are expected to bring in clients independently.
Be obsessed with sports. Sports agents know the intricacies of the recruiting and drafting process for various sports before they decide to make sports their career. They're knowledgeable about the major sports and the leagues, teams, athletes and staff that play a part in the industry.