Sports agents act as business managers for athletes and represent them in contract negotiations and managing their finances. Sports agents handle financial and legal matters for their professional athlete clients. Personable, disciplined, and strong-willed individuals who love sports can seek a career as a sports agent. Kinesiology looks at how the human body works, nutrition and types of injuries. This role requires three main functions: recruiting top talent, negotiating contracts and managing images. Sports figures, like movie stars, have become internationally recognized figures, renowned not only for their athletic prowess, but also for their charismatic personalities. Many also work with law degrees that allow them to specialize in contract negotiations for their clients. Oversee Player Marketing and Promotional Strategies. Sport Marketing Association (SMA) – since 2002, SMA has provided networking forums and conferences for existing and prospective sports marketers and sports agents. Not everyone loves the business side of sports, but agents need to have the sales and marketing skills to help their clients get the best possible financial returns for their athletic abilities. The Agent: My 40-Year Career Making Deals and Changing the Game – get insight into this career from seasoned professional Leigh Steinberg, who spent four decades signing and representing sports figures and NFL stars such as Troy Aikman and Bruce Smith. In many ways, agents are selling their clients’ worth to teams in the leagues where they play and find the general managers in those leagues who value what their clients offer. They review market trends and the latest contract signings, make offers and counteroffers, and explain contract details to players while keeping the athlete’s best interests in focus. All rights reserved. Get licensed and/or registered by your state. Sports agents must continue to stay on top of the latest developments in sports, and particularly in the sport their athlete or athletes play. The agent’s job is to represent these wishes to sports organizations and other associations and strive to execute on their plans as effectively as possible. Based on our research, we found that many employers seek candidates who possess the following skills and abilities: It is typical for sports agents to have obtained a bachelor’s degree in sports management. Create the perfect job-worthy cover letter effortlessly in just a few clicks! Typically, sports agents have a bachelor’s degree in sports management or business management. There is no typical work schedule for sports agents. A love of sports coupled … They can help to ensure that their clients are building assets, managing expenses, and making the proper distribution of income for payments, savings, and investments. The skills necessary to be a good sports agent translate well to other professions that are applicable to the other areas of professional sports management. New Sports Agent jobs added daily. The sports agent then chooses the athletes that they would like to meet with, and the school arranges for them to spend a day or two together. Prioritizing what your athlete needs to focus on when receiving competing contract offers and having an understanding of rookie salary caps are critical to being a successful agent. Sports agents manage the marketing and promotion of their clients. A … Typical Work Schedule. They also handle sponsorships, public relations, and financial planning. The biggest role of a sports agent is to act as a representative for an athlete when negotiating a new contract, contract extensions, or endorsement signings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in May 2017, sports agents earned a median annual salary of nearly $65,000. This is significantly less growth than the 7 percent average projected for jobs as a whole. Many agencies hire entry-level workers with a bachelor's degree, but you'll need to work your way up the ladder before you take on any clients of your own. In the case of high-profile athletes, those contracts often are for hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars, and athletes need guidance handling those finances. A sports agent is a skilled professional who helps to represent and manage sports players. Sports agents represent the interest of athletes, particularly in contract negotiations. 1,435 Sports Agent jobs available on Indeed.com. Being a sports agent is a highly demanding job that often involves being available at all times to serve clients’ needs and maintain their professional images. Contracts can be complex, so agents need to have the legal and financial experience and skill to craft documents that best fit their clients’ needs. He wrote about sports professions for The Balance Careers. You could handle contract negotiations and other business-related tasks for your clients, … An agent working independently is going to be in charge of the entire process. An agent also can help players boost their income through endorsements. Sports Agent Blog – find out the latest in player signings and more from this detailed blog. These professionals often work in a fast-paced and demanding environment and must be able to produce results in a timely manner. A sports agent is friend, advisor, mentor, business associate and, in many cases, lawyer. Sports agents should be able to present complete statistical analyses that show their clients are deserving of the contracts they are seeking. As a sports agent, you'll generally represent and promote athletes to employers. Sports Law Blog – knowledge of sports law can be critical for sports agents when dealing with client finances or contract negotiations, and this blog offers articles about regulations, court decisions, salary arbitration processes, and more. Agent • Job Description, Salary & Benefits If you fantasise about becoming the next Ari Gold (Vincent Chase’s agent in Entourage ), you’re in the right place! Although degrees aren’t expressly required for sports agents, most … Accountable for negotiating contracts, signing … Agents in the District of Columbia earned the highest average annual wage in the country at more than $116,000, followed by those working in New York (just over $103,000) and Wisconsin ($102,000). This will allow you to learn … Sports agents act as representatives for professional athletes in many different types of negotiations, providing advice and representation concerning contracts, endorsement and advertisement deals, … Review the list of resources we’ve provided below to get more details about what it takes to work in the field of sports agency. Posted: (2 days ago) A love of sports: Agents need the highest level of knowledge about the sports their clients play, and the best way to be good at gaining that knowledge is to really enjoy analyzing the sport, its players, and its teams. A Sports Agent in your area makes on average $49,498 per year, or $1,145 (2%) more than the national average annual salary of $48,353. They supply news outlets with positive behaviors and acts exhibited by their clients and maintain “damage control” when any negative actions are displayed by the player they are contracted with. My Perfect Cover Letter is your solution and takes the hassle out of cover letter writing. Professional athletes often are signing their first professional contracts in their late teens or early 20s and rarely have the experience or education to fully understand the legal complexities involved. Sports agents need to be proficient at the following tasks to be successful at their jobs: The biggest responsibility for sports agents is typically negotiating contracts for the players they represent. People skills: Professional sports … Explore these related job titles from our database of hundreds of thousands of expert-approved resume samples: You are looking for your dream job and need a cover letter? However, for those who love the game and the job, a career as a sports agent can be an exciting way to earn a very good living. Sports agents need to be proficient at the following tasks to be successful at their jobs: Negotiating Having expert knowledge of their clients’ sports Collecting data Analyzing statistics … Some of their duties include negotiating salaries and securing contracts. It also covers recent developments and issues in this field. A few of those positions and their median annual salaries include: Frank Angst is an award-winning sportswriter with nearly 20 years experience. They also identify and recruit new talent, oversee public relations, and form relationships with players. Remember the role Tom Cruise played in the movie Jerry Maguire? When you become a sports agent, … Consider the Sport Agent Skills. If you study sports management, you'll learn skills rel… Agents must also have keen knowledge of the ins and outs of the game, understanding just what their client offers to the team as a whole. Specific job duties for sports agents vary based on their employer. This worth comes in the form of play on the field, the court, or the ice, and it also comes in the form of marketing potential for the team. When not working directly to address a contract negotiation or solve a problem, agents need to be analyzing statistics and preparing for future negotiations. How to Be a Sports Agent – written by sports lawyer/author Mel Stein, this book provides a comprehensive look at a sports agent career. North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM) – from professional development conferences to access to scholarly journals, NASSM provides solid national support for both seasoned and beginning sports agents. It is also possible to complete a 4-year degree program in fitness management or marketing. Today’s top 475 Sports Agent jobs in United States. Agents need to be able to identify comparable players whose contracts might serve as a baseline for what their clients are seeking. Staff may be available to assist, but the independent agent still will have broader responsibilities. The work environment varies depending on whether an agent works independently or as part of a larger agency. Instead of closing deals with a simple handshake, sports teams now “sign” ne… Some sports management programs include an internship at a sports agency, which provides a hands-on view of what sports agents do and what you can expect in this profession. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Sports Agent job market in both Chicago, IL and the surrounding area is very active. Some states, such as Florida and California, require … People have been entertained by the spectacular feats and athletic skills of individuals and teams even before gladiators performed in front of thousands in the Coliseum in ancient Rome. They can also work for sports management companies, talent agencies, or sports marketing firms. Sports agents thrive when they sign popular and productive players; to that end, sports agents are often involved in assessing new talent by viewing collegiate games and contacting players seeking representation. Agents for all types of public figures, including those in entertainment and sports, were paid an average yearly salary of nearly $95,000, the BLS further reports. Review professional interviews with sports agents and others in the field, find names of agencies, learn about internships, and get information about major league drafts. Responsibilities of a Sports Agent Get ready to find out about the professional life of a talent agent. Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Bond Trader? In the 20th and 21st centuries sports has consumed a large share of people’s free time. Ready to enter the game as a sports agent? Sports Agent Job Description A professional as a sports agent is responsible of representing an athlete on official basis and handling all legal and financial matters of his clients. Sports Agent Job Description Sports agents represent and promote amateur and professional athletes when dealing with prospective teams or inclusions in tournaments. Job Description and Duties. Sports agents can be self-employed or run their own agencies. Job Description: Sports agents serve as advisors, mentors, and legal guides for players; negotiate athletic contracts related to team placement, relocations and trades, as well as … … Some companies provide sports agents with paid time off, vacations, and health benefits. The Sports … Being a sports agent blends business and sales skills with a passion for sports. The Definitive Sports Industry Podcast – sports agents and others provide insight into this career through interviews and personal recollections. Sports Career Finder and Work in Sports provide job listings for careers in sports. These Commissions Could Be Yours! If your goal is to become a director of ticket sales and you are weak in your sales skills it may be best to take some time at an outside or inside sales job for a non-sports company. ranks number 1 out of 50 states nationwide for Sports Agent … It explores drafting contracts and marketing campaigns, merchandising practices, new client acquisition, and so much more. Apply to Special Agent, Customer Service Representative, Reservation Agent and more! Job Description – Sports Management Intern Employer: JOB SUMMARY The Sports Management Internship will consist of both the operations and business aspect of the sports industry. A sports agent represents the interests of an athlete, helping them to attain sponsorship, compete in events, and make the most of their career in their chosen sport. Which Professional Athletes Get Paid the Most? This character shows what a sports agent does: market and promote sports figures, negotiate contracts, handle endorsement deals, and manage an athlete’s finances. They spend their days handling a variety of tasks, including recruiting new talent for sports … Follow his start in college through personal recounts of Steinberg’s involvement in multimillion contract negotiations and his personal and professional struggles. © 2021 Job Hero Limited. Image by Ellen Lindner © The Balance 2019. Glick says that once an athlete chooses a sports agent, they typically work together for the duration of the athlete’s career. A sports agent… Tips for an Undergraduate Seeking a Job in Sports, Special Agent Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More, Sports Scout Job Description: Salary, Skills & More, Starting a Career in Sports Management and Marketing, Athletic Trainer Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More. It is almost impossible to find work at an agency or to start an agency of your own without a college degree. Membership also includes a quarterly journal and discounts. Job growth for agents representing athletes and entertainers is projected at 3 percent for the decade ending in 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Sports agents come from a variety of backgrounds. As with any potential career decision, you should always research the profession thoroughly. While a few agents can make millions representing high-profile athletes who sign contracts worth tens of millions of dollars, most agents are working with athletes on a smaller scale. This will give you a clearer indication of what you’re letting yourself in for, including any downsides. Though some agents study pre-law in their undergrad years, others study business, kinesiology or sports management. Sports Career Preparation Starts in School, Youth Sports Official/Umpire Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More, Top Opportunities in Sports Careers - More Than Fun and Games, 6 Ways High School Students Can Prepare for Careers in Sports, Athletic Director Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More, Insurance Agent Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More, Bloodstock Agent Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More, Having expert knowledge of their clients’ sports. Sports agents rarely work typical 40-hour weeks and can expect to work long hours, including evenings and weekends, when negotiating contracts or endorsement deals or when involved in recruiting activities. Sports Agent Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More. Leverage your professional network, and get hired. As a sports agent, you will handle contract negotiations, public relations issues, and finances… Those in the 10th percentile were paid an average yearly salary of $31,000, while those earning at the top end of the pay scale could realize an annual salary of more than $200,000. A popular or successful player can boost ticket sales or jersey sales. Sports agents might use cold-calling techniques and referral systems when scouting for new clients. The Business of Sports Agents, 2nd edition – refer to this book to get information about sports agency laws and regulations, licensing requirements, scams in the sports agency field, and other details about the challenges and triumphs of being a sports agent. To do that effectively, agents need to fully understand their clients’ worth in the market, which means knowing the sport as well as the general managers or other team officials negotiating on the other side of the table. Document Agent If the job title “Document Agent ” puts you in the mindset of a secret agent, fending off villains as you deliver a top-secret brief to HQ in your fancy sports car, well…Cox Automotive’s … In some cases, sports agents can offer advice for players making investments or purchases. Establishing a strong reputation in sports management or other related jobs can help launch a career as an agent. Certified Sports Agent/advisor - Major League Baseball Responsible for the building and development of relationships with clients and MLB organizations. Someone just starting out as part of an agency might be tasked with doing research to support negotiations being overseen by a more experienced agent. In addition to being a provider of sports management education, Sports Management Worldwide is an international full-service sports agency with an extensive network of Agent Advisors serving athletes throughout the world.. SMWW’s Agent Advisor program will jumpstart your sports agent career by connecting you with certified agents in pro sports… A sports agent takes on the high-risk-high-reward job of managing those athletes’ careers. Recruiting talent. However, there are several core tasks common to all sports agents, such as: The biggest role of a sports agent is to act as a representative for an athlete when negotiating a new contract, contract extensions, or endorsement signings. They review market trends and the latest …