Confession of a fomer NFL Agent

[AdmiralKird]

Confessions of an agent
This story appears in the October 18, 2010 issue of Sports Illustrated

I will never forget the first time I paid a player.

There are moments you will always remember, like your first kiss or your first home run or the day you met your wife. For me, the first time I broke an NCAA rule to try to land a client is just as indelible.

It was before the 1990 football season, and I flew from Los Angeles to Denver and drove to the University of Colorado to try to meet with Kanavis McGhee. He was a big, pass-rushing linebacker who was expected to be a high pick in the 1991 NFL draft. I was 20 years old -- the youngest agent ever certified by the NFL Players Association -- and had less than a year's experience, but for whatever reason I convinced myself that I had a shot with him.

I figured out where Kanavis lived, drove to his apartment and knocked on the door. No one answered, so I waited. About four hours later, Kanavis finally came home and I bum-rushed him at the door...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/m ... /12/agent/

[stlouie_lipp]

I can't wait for this issue to land in my mailbox.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

If the NCAA would jsut allow colleges to pay their athletes, so many of these stupid problems would go away.

[InvincibleCakeEater]

If the NCAA would jsut allow colleges to pay their athletes, so many of these stupid problems would go away.

lol, no they wouldn't

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

If the NCAA would jsut allow colleges to pay their athletes, so many of these stupid problems would go away.

lol, no they wouldn't

lol, yes they would. Not all of them, but a majority. Why would a player risk his career to take money he didn't need?

[Popeye_Card]

Well in effect they *are* getting paid, by getting a full-ride scholarship, valued at $100k+ at most schools now. Them not taking advantage of that is their problem. I would have gladly practiced for hours, flown around the US to play sports, etc. In echange for not paying my school loans.

If they need some "walking around money" because they don't have time for a job, fine--give them a small stipend like ROTC does.

I get that the NCAA is inherently unfair, since lots of money is being made without the stars getting their share. But hey, we all paid for college. They aren't. That's a pretty nice deal.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

I get that the NCAA is inherently unfair, since lots of money is being made without the stars getting their share. But hey, we all paid for college. They aren't. That's a pretty nice deal.

No doubt about it. I'm not talking about 4th string guards though...I'm talking more about the people that don't want to go to school/can't necessarily wait 3 years to start making money b/c they have a family depending on them/the maurice clarrets.

It's not really their fault that they're forced to go to college for 3 years/1 year before they can go pro. On top of that, it's not their fault that a lot of the best programs for them to attend are hundreds if not thousands of miles from home. How are kids supposed to get home for the hollidays that don't have two nickels to rub together in the first place.

The education they receive is worth precisely nothing as their livelihood will be made in sports.

[TheoSqua]

I personally think the way it's set up now is pretty solid. I don't believe there should be anything wrong with letting a kid make some money off his potential. If an agent wants to pay it, well that's capitalism baby.

On the other hand, you don't want Agents to run amok and do whatever they want to the point that it starts to undermine the competitive spirit of college sports.

Right now is a decent balance. Kids can make money, but since it's illegal and under the table it hasn't grown the the point where it's ruining college sports.

[Popeye_Card]

If we are that concerned about guys getting paid right away so that they can take care of their families, then it is time to disconnect big time college athletics from educational facilities. Make them what they really are then--minor leagues for the NFL and NBA.

[phins]

Paying players would simply ensure we have Alabama, Texas, Florida et al get all the best players, and all the smaller programs fight for scraps even more than they already do.

It wouldn't solve the issues, and would effectively fold a ton of programs across the country, which already aren't making any money.

The way it is now isn't perfect, but I am quite certain paying players isn't the answer.