First off, Thanks, Quinton, for having me in your site.  It's educational,
edgy and provides an amazing resource to and about the music and sports
industries.

Jerry Maguire, Bob Sugar, Arliss Michaels or even Ari Gold have been
Hollywood depictions of what an agent is and does.  It's all glamour and
fame, hanging out at cool parties and sporting events.  It drives thousands
of law students (and college graduates) each year to think they can come out
and represent their friends or use their knowledge or connections and be
successful.  Three law schools offer a "Certificate" in sports law, which
essentially means you specialized it sports related legal matters in law
school.  Those schools admit that few of those graduates wind up short term
in sports and even fewer find a career in it.

Further still, in order to be admitted as a NBA, NFL, or MLB agent, you have
to be certified.  In each league it is a little different, but in the NFL,
it means you have to fill out a lengthy application in January, go through a
strenuous background check, pass a test on the Collective Bargaining
Agreement and Salary Cap rules, etc., obtain insurance and pay lots of fees
and dues to join the club.  Then you must sign one of the 1700 or so players
on a final roster within 3 years or you have to start over.  State laws are
getting tougher and require more fees and registration.  The NBA is very
similar.

It is a daunting process.  What is a true day in the life like? Some days
are pretty glamorous and very cool.  Most are filled with learning
everything you can about everything you can to give you an edge.  You are
competing against 800-900 other agents in the NFL for players on one of the
53-man rosters on one of its 32 teams.  So, 900 agents are competing and
must sign one of 1696 guys (plus their replacements).  To do so, you have to
invest in their training and pre-season expenses, which can range between
$10,000 to well in the six figures.  If you average in earning the maximum
fee of 3% of the average NFL salary and it is a business plan that could
lose money very easily.  The NBA is not much different.  In MLB, you often
have to stay with a player all the way through the minors, help get
endorsements or pay for his bats, gloves and equipment. The moments of
glamour are far out numbered by long hours of research and study, stiff (and
sometimes corrupt) competition and financial risk and sacrifice.

However, whether working for a sports agent or as a sports agent, if you are
passionate about what you do, truly respect the game of football and the
significant role you play as a mentor, advisor, guide and friend to these
athletically gifted, passionate, spirited young men, you will succeed.  We
founded BTSA -The Breakthrough Sports Agency- to change the game, provide
unprecedented service and counsel.  I spent 10 years learning everything
about licensing, trademarks, contracts, anti-trust, collective bargaining
and a host of sports related legal issues and represented many an athlete
before jumping into agency.  My path was just one of the many that leads
into one of the greatest jobs in the world.  It is my passion and pleasure
to work with the finest young men in the world and watch and help them
master their craft.

http://www.mybtsa.com/