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Updated in [March 06th, 2023]
Becoming a Sports Agent is a course designed to provide students with an immersive experience in the world of sports. Through lectures, guest speakers, reading assignments and hypothetical walkthroughs, students will learn how to manage the career of a professional athlete at each of the four stages of their career. The course will cover a broad scope of the landscape of amateur and professional sports, and provide updates on the rapidly changing sports world. Students will gain the skills necessary to guide an athlete through the difficult decisions that can make or lose them millions of dollars, as well as affect their public image and career. Expert guests and professors will provide insight into the best practices in the management of superstar athletes.
[Applications]
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to apply the knowledge they have gained to become successful sports agents. They will be able to use the skills they have learned to guide athletes through the four stages of their career, helping them to make the best decisions for their future. Students will also be able to use the knowledge they have gained to stay up to date on the rapidly changing sports world.
[Career Paths]
[Title]Sports Marketing
[Description]Sports marketing is a rapidly growing field that combines the principles of marketing with the world of sports. This course will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the sports marketing industry and how to effectively market a sports team, athlete, or event. Students will learn about the different types of sports marketing, including digital, traditional, and experiential marketing, and how to create effective campaigns that will reach the target audience. Additionally, students will learn about the importance of data and analytics in sports marketing, and how to use this data to create successful campaigns.
[Title]Sports Analytics
[Description]Sports analytics is a rapidly growing field that combines the principles of data science and analytics with the world of sports. This course will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the sports analytics industry and how to effectively analyze data to gain insights into sports performance. Students will learn about the different types of sports analytics, including predictive analytics, descriptive analytics, and prescriptive analytics, and how to use this data to create successful strategies. Additionally, students will learn about the importance of data visualization and how to use this data to create meaningful insights.
[Education Paths]
1. Bachelor of Science in Sports Management: This degree program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful sports agents. Students will learn about the business of sports, including marketing, finance, and legal aspects. They will also gain an understanding of the different sports organizations and how they operate. Additionally, students will learn about the different types of athletes and how to best manage their careers. This degree program is becoming increasingly popular as the sports industry continues to grow.
2. Master of Science in Sports Administration: This degree program provides students with a more in-depth understanding of the sports industry. Students will learn about the different aspects of sports management, including marketing, finance, and legal aspects. They will also gain an understanding of the different sports organizations and how they operate. Additionally, students will learn about the different types of athletes and how to best manage their careers. This degree program is becoming increasingly popular as the sports industry continues to grow.
3. Doctor of Philosophy in Sports Management: This degree program provides students with an advanced understanding of the sports industry. Students will learn about the different aspects of sports management, including marketing, finance, and legal aspects. They will also gain an understanding of the different sports organizations and how they operate. Additionally, students will learn about the different types of athletes and how to best manage their careers. This degree program is becoming increasingly popular as the sports industry continues to grow.
4. Master of Business Administration in Sports Management: This degree program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the business of sports. Students will learn about the different aspects of sports management, including marketing, finance, and legal aspects. They will also gain an understanding of the different sports organizations and how they operate. Additionally, students will learn about the different types of athletes and how to best manage their careers. This degree program is becoming increasingly popular as the sports industry continues to grow.
Course Syllabus
Module 1: Introduction to Agents and the Collective Bargaining Agreements of the MLB, NFL and NBA
An introduction to the duties of an agent; the "Rep K" that controls the player-agent relationship; and an analysis of the collective bargaining agreements that govern the three major leagues in the US -- including how a professional athlete achieves free agency in each major league and how players can be punished for improper behavior on and off the field. Module 2: Recruiting and Managing Clients
An introduction on how to approach recruiting clients, how to build an agency, and how to manage clients once they have signed a representation agreement; an analysis of the effect of professional sports on youth sports, and vice versa.Module 3: Early Stages of Professionalism and Selecting an Agency
Module 4: Representing the Peak Professional Athlete Pt. I
The optional videos look at the fiduciary duties an agent owes his client. Module 5: Representing the Peak Professional Athlete Pt. II
How the best high school baseball player in the U.S. in 2013, Clint Frazier, went about selecting his management team; the way Major League Baseball teams handle their minor leaguers; and what it takes for any of them to reach the Majors. In this Lesson, we will also study how an agent can build an agency from the ground up, and represent professional athletes through their progression to their peak earning years. Finally, a look into the beginning of LeBron James’ career with his personal attorney, up to “The Decision.”Module 6: Income Protection and Life After Retirement
Protecting the publicity rights of athletes while monetizing and maximizing their brands through product endorsement and license agreements. We will analyze the history of publicity rights and how to market your clients image effectively.Module 7: Life Cycle of Individual Sports, the Longest Career Trajectory Pt. I
Rebuilding the reputation of athletes who have damaged their brands. How a financial advisor can help a player manage income streams to maintain their lifestyle post-retirement. Also, we will discuss whether LeBron James made the right long-term branding decision by returning to Cleveland, and where his brand will go from here.Module 8: Life Cycle of Individual Sports, the Longest Career Trajectory Pt. II
Protecting an athlete's income through insurance policies; an analysis of the on-going concussion epidemic in contact sports; and how an athlete can best prepare for life after retirement.Module 9: Representing the Professional Footballer Pt. I
An introduction to the world of golf and tennis athletes who have enjoyed the longest careers in sports. Insider experts' look into how an athlete can diversify his or her brand. Also, the Commissioner of the LPGA will discuss the ins and outs of the ladies’ tour. Module 10: Representing the Professional Footballer Pt. II
An introduction to the world of golf and tennis athletes who have enjoyed longest careers in sports. Insider experts' look into how an athlete can diversify his or her brand. How an agent can best protect his or her athlete in endorsement agreements through appropriately drafted suitability and morals clauses. Module 11: Representing the Professional Footballer Pt. III
An in-depth look into the life of a footballer, from the youth squad to the first team and after retirement. How to handle a player deciding whether or not to continue their career following a series of injuries. How to handle the career of the next young David Beckham, from loans to transfers to bumper contracts and more -- how to monetize the brand of your footballer, while ensuring their focus with success on the pitch.
