A sports agent may help you get a jump-start on your professional athletic career. Athletes should weigh the pros and cons of a sports agent before signing any contract, as well as look into the background of the sport agent who approaches them, or whom they approach. A good sports agent offers a number of benefits for an athlete in any sport.
Point of Contact
A sports agent acts as a point of contact between an athlete and private and professional organizations that wish to employ the athlete's skills or celebrity power in events that range from actually playing for a professional team or organization to endorsing consumer products like shoes, sporting gear, cereals and charity organizations. Agents also act as the point of contact between management of professional sports teams and organizations and the athlete.
Business Deals
A sports agent is responsible for attending to the athlete's business deals and transactions. For example, an agent is legally able to engage in agreements and deals between a sponsor and the athlete for endorsements, investments, appearances and bookings. The agent is responsible for reducing conflict and making sure the athlete meets the stipulations written into his contract between the athlete and management in regard to everything from salary to personal lifestyle such as drinking or illicit drug use or abuse.
Negotiate Contracts
Agents are knowledgeable in financial negotiations, and engage in discussions to get their athlete contracts, ensuring that the athlete receives the best in salary negotiations. The agent typically gets a cut of the athlete's contract pay, and looks over additional negotiation contracts for incentives or other bonuses, as well as additional monies to be offered the athlete for signing a contract, or reporting or showing up and attending all practices, games and so forth, as determined by the contract agreed upon by both parties.
Marketing
A sports agent also plays an important role in the marketing of the athlete. An agent can play a managerial role in the athlete's press and public marketing endeavors, such as organizing appearances, planning TV or radio spots, and charity event appearances. Public relations are an important aspect of a sport agent's job.
Networking
A sports agent is responsible for networking within the athlete's sporting field to increase the athlete's publicity through appearances and events, as well as networking, collaborating and encouraging relationships between other athletes, organizations and agents. This networking helps spread the athlete's name and recognition throughout the industry so that the athlete has heavier clout when it comes to negotiating deals and contracts. An agent's ability to promote an athlete takes into consideration his athlete's current and future playing value, and create deals and agreements that most benefit the player now and in the future.
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