SLT- Tell us a bit more about the upcoming 5^th edition of An Athlete's Guide To Agents.

RR- In the 5^th edition I go back to my anecdotes of the 80s and 90s and use the power of Google search to see what's happened to the people.  For instance, one of the notorious agents has actually spent time in prison in 3 different decades, representing football players in-between sentences.

On a more positive note, unlike the early days when the teams had more information, the unions have salary and contract information available in real time for all the players.  The unions work with the certified agents to use this information to benefit the players. 

SLT- Do you have any advice concerning dealing with a marginal player coming out of college who has high expectations but limited ability?

RR- For a football player, an agent can help a prospect get the best possible coaching and pre-draft training to maximize his opportunity.  If it’s likely the athlete won’t be drafted, the agent can prepare the player for a quick post-draft free-agent signing with a team that offers a good opportunity.  For a basketball player who is not drafted, the agent can try to find the right market--whether in Europe or elsewhere.

SLT- These days, especially in football, an agent is essentially investing in a player.  The costs can be twenty or thirty thousand dollars.  Does that make the business a little more dangerous? Are there any trends that you see in this?

RR- Every year there are 200-300 new people coming into the business even though the cost to enter keeps going up.  There are state registration and union certification costs, insurance-- not to mention travel expense.  It's a huge out-of-pocket investment, especially when some clients won’t generate any fees.

SLT- Sometimes an agent may be ethical, but the athlete is looking for a free lunch.  Your comments?

RR- For the agent—just like the athlete—it’s buyer beware.    Elite athletes, especially basketball and football players, are very street savvy.  They are very skilled at being recruited. 

SLT- Do you have any advice for people who want to break into sports law?

RR- Yes, make friends with a lot of athletes and coaches.  You can go back to Leigh Steinberg.  He was a resident adviser in a football players’ dorm at Cal-Berkeley.

You can have all of the qualifications in the world, but connections matter.  It's important to know somebody.  It’s very heartening going to the Sports Lawyers Association conferences and seeing people I met when they were just out of law school who have done well in sports.    It does happen.

SLT- Thanks for sharing your anecdotes and advice with our readers.