Agent Related Information - Considering Professional Sports?
Shepherd University's athletic compliance office has a goal to protect the eligibility of our student-athletes by educating our student-athletes on how to make informed decisions about who will represent them once they decide to pursue a professional career in their sport.
The NCAA manual states that a student-athlete cannot have a written or verbal agreement with an agent or anyone who will market the student-athlete's athletics ability or reputation. It is impermissible for them to agree, verbally or in writing, to have an agent represent them in the future.
Student-athletes and their families may not receive benefits from an agent.
Who is an agent?
Anyone who markets the athletic ability or reputation of an athlete is considered an agent. Whether or not someone calls themselves an agent, if they perform the functions of an agent under NCAA rules, they are considered an agent. Below are examples of activities that consider an individual an agent:
- Negotiating with a professional team
- Contacting a professional team on your behalf
- Arranging tryouts with professional teams
- Sitting in on your negotiations with a professional team
Can I have an 'advisor'?
A student-athlete may have an advisor to help them evaluate their professional opportunities, but they must be careful that their advisor does not engage in any activities that would make them an agent under NCAA rules. As a good rule of thumb, an advisor can talk to you and your family, but if they are talking about you to any third parties (professional teams, media, scouts) they have probably crossed the line to being an agent.
Tryouts with Professional Teams
Student-athletes may participate in tryouts with professional teams without losing their eligibility, provided they follow certain rules:
- Student-athletes cannot miss class for a tryout with a professional team.
- Student-athletes may receive actual and necessary expenses in conjunction with one 48-hour tryout per professional team.
- A tryout may extend beyond 48 hours if the student-athlete pays any additional expenses, including return transportation.
- A tryout paid for by the student-athlete may last any length of time, provided the student-athlete does not miss class.
Remember, ASK before you ACT! Contact the Compliance Office at 304-876-5404.
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Agent Guidelines
