What questions should you ask a sports agent before signing?

By Jason Bolton February 28, 2024 08:26

Photo by Shutterstock

Landing endorsement deals and negotiating critical contracts for the athlete is a sports agent's job, as well as guiding the athlete's financial success. Still, ask the right questions before you sign with a sports agent.

Experience and Track Record

It's important to check your agent’s experience and track record. Once an athlete is ready to start asking questions about the sports agent in question, one should start with the professional’s experience in the industry and the kind of business they have done in the past.

Some questions to ask regarding expertise and track record include:

How much experience do you have representing athletes in my sport and at my level? The question will help the athlete establish how conversant the agent is with the specific sport and the kind of representation the agent has offered athletes to develop in their career stage.
Do you have examples of successful athletes you have represented in their career trajectories? This will help the player establish the kind of experience the agent has with contract negotiation, endorsements, and general athlete representation.
How do you approach contract negotiations and endorsement deals? Athletes can learn how the agent goes about their business when working on a contract.

Resources and Support Staff

How about the agent’s resources and support staff? A successful sports agent works with a team of professionals and networks.

As such, it is vital to understand the agent’s support team and resources by asking:

Who else is on your team, and what roles do they play in supporting athletes? Asking the agent to identify their support system helps an athlete understand the personnel and resources that will serve various aspects of their career.
What connections do you have with teams, sponsors, and other key players in the sports industry? This question helps an individual identify the network upon which the agent will plug them for lucrative contracts and endorsements.
How do you handle legal and financial matters for your clients? This question addresses the management of the client’s affairs to ensure the agent makes the right decisions on behalf of the athlete.

Communication and Relationship Dynamics

Effective communication defines the basis of the working relationship between the athlete and the sports agents. The athlete should inquire about the agent’s communication method and the dynamics of the athlete-agent relationship.

The following questions should be asked:

What communication methods do you prefer, and how often will you update me? Establishing both boundaries and responsibilities will help the athlete and the agent form a transparent working relationship.
How do you handle prioritization of clients and how well do you manage them to meet their needs? This will allow the athlete have a grasp of how responsible and balanced the agent is.
Can any of your current or former clients speak about their experience working with you? This question will help the athlete check the agent's credibility in the field.

Fees, Contracts, and Ethical Standards

In sports representation, an athlete must understand the financial implications of the relationship in terms of fees and contractual obligations. The athlete should also ensure that the agent follows the applicable ethical standards in such a contract.

The following questions may be relevant:

How much are your fees and how are they structures? This will help ensure that the athlete can afford the agent’s services based on how the costs are calculated and whether there are any additional charges.
Can you please describe the contractual terms and rules in detail, providing an overview of my contractual obligations under this agreement? This question is necessary so that the athlete understands what the representation agreement entails and when they are expected to make contractually affiliated commitments.
How do you maintain conformance to representation ethics while representing your clients, and do you have any measures to meet this objective? Finally, the question aims to clarify the agent’s activities and interactions with athletes from the perspective of representation ethics.

Choosing the right agent is a critical decision that shapes the athlete’s career development and success. Asking the agent questions about his or her experience, resources, communication practices, and activities regarding representation ethics will help the athlete make an informed decision consistent with his or her professional priorities. This will ensure a successful and effective partnership between the athlete and the sports agent, founded on thorough due diligence.