How to Get a Sports Agent
If you're playing at the top of your game and receiving a lot of coverage in the press, you may not need to know how to find a sports agent. In fact, you may be wondering how in the world to keep agents from stopping you each time you finish a game. The vast majority of athletes, however, tend to toil away in obscurity and wonder how they'll ever catch the eye of a sports agent. If you fall into this category, this article is written just for you.
A sports agent works exclusively for you, and this professional can help you increase your exposure. A sports agent might help you get into team tryouts and help you negotiate a high salary with the team. An agent might also help you gain lucrative endorsements and speaking engagements, and these tasks can help you raise money as well as your profile. But hiring a sports agent isn't without risk. Most agents do charge a fee for their work, and those fees can be high. You must be sure you're prepared to invest in a future in sports before you hire an agent.
It almost goes without saying that you must be at the top of your field before you can sign with an agent. Most sports agents improve their reputations by signing high-profile athletes who are poised to do amazing things in the game. If you're a mid-level player, you may have difficulty finding an agent willing to take a chance on you. Be prepared to describe your talents on paper. You might need to define your running or pitching speed, for example, or name the number of tackles you performed in a season. If you're certain your numbers are high, it's time to begin the search.
Begin by asking other members of your team about their agents. Perhaps a few of your mates have agents they adore, and you can call those agents and tout your own skills. If you're not fortunate enough to find references, you can perform an online search of agents at the Sports Agent Directory. You will have to pay a fee for this service, but in return, you'll see a long list of agents who are certified to represent athletes who play your sport. You'll be given agents' email addresses, and you'll need to send sales pitches to these agents that describe your skills and talents. Use your most positive language, and talk about your skills, talent, and enthusiasm. This is your chance to impress, so don't be afraid to boast. Send emails to several agents, and you'll have a collection to narrow down before you make a final selection. Schedule time to talk to each agent in detail. Remember that the agent will be speaking for you at all times, so make sure the person you choose is eloquent and professional. Ask for references from other athletes, and call those references before you sign. This is an important decision, so take your time and make sure you're comfortable with your choice.
