NCAA, NFL and other officials working to slow the unscrupulous activities of "rogue" agents in football are close to handing down recommendations that would really make a difference, according to NCAA official, Rachel Newman Baker.
College football coaches are asking the NFL players association and state attorney generals to hit wayward agents with tougher penalties.
In recent months, NCAA investigations and player suspensions and dismissals have touched major college football programs. Top North Carolina player, Marvin Austin, was dismissed from the team for his dealings with an agent.
College players who deal with smooth-talking agents not only put their college careers in jeopardy, but also the good standing of the team and school they play for, and do the agents really care? Ultimately all they want is the student-athlete's name on their dotted line.
The athlete wants the money the agent can provide and the agent wants to negotiate said athlete's professional contract - for a sizable fee. Agents do provide a service to athletes. In many cases the athlete may earn a college degree while playing Saturday gladiator for Goober U. Sadly, all too often Goober U. did not prepare the athlete to earn gainful employment outside of his sport. You're done playing. Here is your mickey mouse Goober degree - bye!
One would guess that professional sport contracts are pretty complicated, and a good lawyer/agent does provide guidance and some protection for the athlete - for a handsome fee. Thus professional sport salaries have become obscene. The higher the salary, the higher the agent's percentage of that salary.
One would see why an agent would want to get a contract with a sure-fire-to-make-it pro athlete as early as possible. There is money to be made so why not slip the athlete some up-front funds in order to get his name on the dotted line? A really big-timer would be worth the risk.
The powers that be should make it very painful for the agent who works outside the guidelines. At the very least, the NFL should suspend all dealings with an agent who has caused an athlete to lose college eligibility.
