“Agents”: if there is one absolute in the recruiting
game it is this – stay away from agents trying to build a relationship with
your student-athlete. There is no faster
way to destroying amateur eligibility and putting a black mark on your
reputation than accepting representation, vague promises of future
representation, or benefits like housing (see Reggie Bush) or cars from an
agent to a student-athlete or family.
And with the immediacy and reach of social media any interaction by a
student-athlete or family with an agent will get noticed.
The NCAA bylaws strictly prohibit this
student-athlete/agent relationship under § 12.3.1.1 and .2. This includes both written and verbal
arrangements and both present and casual promises of future representation after
your son has completed his amateur eligibility in that sport.
But it’s not all bad news – the Seattle Seahawks QB
Russell Wilson played professional baseball before entering his senior football
season at the University of Wisconsin.
It is okay to play a sport like baseball professionally and amateur
college football but review, review, and review again before signing an agency
contract for any particular sport your son plays as a professional. Make use of the school’s “Professional Sports
Counseling Panel” to review proposed professional sports contracts, NCAA Bylaw
§ 12.3.4
Lastly,
keep in mind the general rule regarding use of agents under NCAA bylaw §
12.3.1: “an agency contract not
specifically limited in writing to a sport or particular sports shall be deemed
applicable to ALL sports, and the individual shall be ineligible to participate
in ANY sport.”
