, Is the agent or agency that\'s recruiting you registered to practice as an agent or agency in your state?
For the NFL, sports agent firms must be registered with the National Football League Player\'s Association (NFLPA) to negotiate a contract for a player. The Uniform Athlete Agents Act, NFL Uniform Contract or the UAAA, is a state law currently recognized by 40 States (as of April 2011), in addition to Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands, that regulates the recruiting actions of agents.
The Act\'s purpose is to create uniformity in the way sports agent firms go about recruiting and communicating with prospective clients. Part of the Act requires that sports agents register in each state in which they choose to recruit athletes in.
If you\'re in a state where the UAAA isn\'t recognized, ask them if they\'re registered in that particular state (if applicable). If you\'re already a professional athlete, the prospective agent(s) don\'t have to register with your state.
Have you ever been disbarred, suspended or disciplined as an attorney or agent?
While bad things do happen to good people at times, it\'s good to know whether or not the sports agent firm you\'re considering has ever been disciplined, suspended or disbarred (in the event that they\'re also an attorney). Research the attorney or agent, and feel free to bring-up what you\'ve learned. There may be a good explanation of what happened, but it\'s important that you\'re comfortable NFL Uniform Contract with them and their track record.
What is your fee? Is your fee negotiable? How and when do you bill me for your services?
Do you provide any type of annual statement to your clients?
Sports agent firms normally bill on a percentage of the value NFL Uniform Contract of the contract they negotiate on the players behalf. Quite often this fee is capped. For example, in the NFL (National Football League) and the UFL (United Football League), these fees are capped at 3%, meaning the agents\'s commissions cannot exceed 3% of the total value of the contract negotiated.
Even so, you can ask to pay the agent on an hourly rate, if it\'s agreed upon. It\'s been said that Ray Allen, now of the Boston Celtics (NBA), saved himself over $2.8m by paying Johnny Cochran $500 an hour instead of paying a 4% commission back in 1999 when he was negotiating his own contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.
As far as athletic training, who do you work with? Who have they prepared for the Combine in the past? Who pays for my training?
Nowadays, sports agent firms commonly foot the bill for combine and pro day preparation training for sure-fire draft picks. Some athletes choose to stay at school and train for these events, while others prefer to go to a remote location to train.
It\'s important to make sure that you and your prospective representatives have a clear understanding regarding where you\'re training, who\'s training you, and how much it will cost, as well as if any of the related fees are your own financial responsibility.
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