Sports Agency

Soccer, one of the mos popular sports around the world, is able to represent many companies and brands.

photo courtesy of Pixabay

How sports agents acquire contracts and make deals through modern day media

By Sam Spencer

Sports agents use the media to brand their signed players. They can do this through social media, the press, and other media outlets where there is an audience. Sports agents don’t use the media as much to market themselves. “To be honest, the media doesn’t make much of a difference,” said Dan Marron, an NFL sports agent.

But it affects their players. There are special select agents who only use and manage social media accounts of players, which is a qualification of being a sports agent. They specialize in digital marketing, which includes the use of social media to spread content, generate leads, and maintain consumer loyalty. These social media marketers can set your company out from the competition. They keep track of trends, keep up with algorithm changes, and keep an eye on your accounts in real-time.

Sports agents work very closely with lawyers, accountants, business agents, and other professions for experience and help. These professionals give them insight into certain business models and lifestyles, as many sports agents work solo, and must create some of the aspects in their own business. They then scout out for opportunities to sign contracts with upcoming agents. Most signings happen early on in a player’s career, who then stick with their agent for a majority of the time.

Sports agents negotiate contracts between their players and the team or franchise they plan on signing with. This process is a lot more tedious and longer than may appear. “We play a unique function in the contract negotiations between a sports franchise and the athlete the agent represents,” said Mark Galperin, a sports marketer and players’ agent. The process of being a contracted player can be very simple if both parties agree to the terms. But even after a deal has been agreed upon, there is more work to do. Agents must help their players gain security with their player’s contract. Multi-year contracts are a large priority, but financial bargaining should also be done before a deal is done.

Sports agent Mark Galperin stnds with his athlete, a baseball player.

Photo Courtesy of Mark Galperin

Whether a player can earn more money throughout the season based on how well they played is of topic and importance. There’s a fine line between being a fan of the game and actually getting work done. Most sports agents who get into the business are fans of sports and passionate about their job. Being a fan of sports isn’t enough,“You must be a diehard supporter of the industry’s business,” said Mark. Handling many clients can be difficult to manage, and

may make it seem as if it’s all strictly business, but caring for the “ Acting in the best interests of your well being of their clients is very important. “Acting in the best interests of your clients is the most clients is the most important aspect important aspect of of being a sports agent. If an athlete being a sports agent. gets the impression that you are simply - Mark Galperin, agent interested in yourself, they will not become your client,” said Mark.

Sports agents look at many factors when considering players to be an agent for. One of those things is the athletic prowess of the player.

Photo Courtesy of Mark Galperin

Alex Wilson sits at his computer during a game, making notes about which players he wants to represent.

Photo Courtesy of Alex Wilson

Amature athletes, such as high school and college athletes, cannot be assisted in obtaining endorsements deals. Olympic athletes are also restricted from helping them in signing contracts and accepting money to participate in Olympic competitions. Athletes at the professional level are the only ones that are qualified to get help to

negotiate for the finest deals. No education is necessary if you want to be involved in the industry, but it can make the process easier. “ Obtaining a bachelor’s degree is “Obtaining a bachelor’s degree is the first step toward becoming a the first step toward sports agent,” said becoming a sports agent. Alex Wilson, who works in sports marketing - Alex Wilson and advertising. Law degrees are also important for certain aspects and divisions of the business.

5 Sports Marketing Techniques

Sponsorships

Sports Agents must contact sponsors directly for the branding of their business.

Diversify your audience

Having a player known by many different people can be beneficial for a player’s brand.

Host Give-aways

Sports Agency involves promotion of a player and organization of a player, where Agents can organize give aways and interactive events with a player’s fanbase.

5 Sports Marketing Techniques

Graphics By Sam Spencer

Create engaging graphics

Digital media teams and specialists create graphics and visuals for their team, although many agents and marketers without a spealized skillset get involves with graphic design.

Social Media

Either a team for a franchise or personal agent for a player will broadcast through a managavle account. Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube are common social medias that marketers use for the modern audience.

Social media promoters and marketers lead any decisions and promotion through social media. They create posts and target upcoming events or occasions.