How to Become a Sports Agent: Career Path Guide
If you want to become a sports agent, you first need to determine if this career path is a good fit for you. If the following description sounds like you, then you’re probably well suited for a career as a sports agent:
Those who become sports agents are typically outgoing, self-confident and enjoy working with people. They have the ability to understand the needs of the athletes they represent, and the negotiation skills to ensure they get what they need.
Those who become sports agents must have the emotional fortitude to withstand the highs and lows of a career wherein their earnings are largely based on commission.
Below we've outlined what you'll need to begin a career as a sports agent. We've also included helpful information for this career, such as job description, job duties, salary expectations, a list of possible employers and much more!
Education Needed to Become a Sports Agent
A degree in sports management is excellent preparation for a career as a sports agent as it typically offers coursework in areas such as sports marketing, accounting and finance, kinesiology, and sports management industry law.
This combination of coursework helps give students the skills in business, and the knowledge in exercise science, necessary to succeed in this career. Coursework in sports management also allows students to learn the details of the sports industry, such as how to develop a brand for players, as well as the details of salary caps.
Various sports management degree programs will also require some internship work, which is excellent preparation for a career as a sports agent as it helps students acquire practical skills. Internships are also great opportunities to get your foot in the door with a sports management agency, and possibly gain employment with them upon graduation.
As sports agency and management is a highly competitive field, some employers may require prospective sports agents to have a graduate or law degree in a field related to sports management.
Sports Agent Job Description
Sports agents represent and promote amateur and professional athletes when dealing with prospective teams or inclusions in tournaments. They typically handle contract negotiations and other business matters on behalf of athletes when dealing with performance contracts, as well as activities that generate supplemental income for the athlete, such as public media appearances, marketing, advertising, and endorsements.
Sports Agent Job Duties
• Maintain current knowledge of industry trends and deals
• Collect fees and commissions according to contract terms
• Hire trainers and coaches to advise clients on performance related matters
• Provide clients with legal and financial advice
• Prepare periodic accounting statements and reports for the client
• Schedule promotional or performance engagements for the client
• Negotiate with managers, promoters, union officials, and other individuals regarding clients' contractual rights and obligations
• Work with clients to develop short and long term career strategies
• Communicate actions taken on behalf of the client
Who Hires Sports Agents?
Sports agents may be hired as representatives of sports management or sports marketing organizations, or they may be self-employed as independent agents.
Licensing & Certification Required to Become a Sports Agent
In Canada and the United States, there are currently no formal national boards that govern sports agency, so the various requirements for licensing and registration in this profession can vary by state or province. There are several states and provinces that require agents who represent athletes to be licensed or registered, and many others that do not. Please check with your local sports agency association for more details on becoming a licensed sports agent.
Sports Agents Salary: How Much Do They Earn?
The salary level of sports agents can vary depending on factors such as their level of experience, the amount of clients they represent, whether or not they are independent agents, where they work, the salary level of the athletes they represent, and many others.
Sports Agents Salary United States: According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in the Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes occupational group earn an annual mean salary of $88,620. The lowest 10% of salaries in this group are less than $27,500, and the highest 10% are higher than $110,550 per year.
Please Note: No salary information is available for Sports Agents in Canada from reliable sources.
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Careers Similar to Sports Agent
Listed below are careers in our database that are similar in nature to Sports Agent, as they may involve many of the same skills, competencies and responsibilities.
References: How to Become a Sports Agent
Please consult the references below to find more information on the various aspects of a career as a sports agent:
Occupational Employment and Wages: “Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes.” (March 29, 2019). Bureau of Labor Statistics - United States Government website. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
Occupations: “Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes.” (n.d.). O*NET - Occupational Information Network website. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
News: “So you want to be a sports agent? Here's what you should know.” Ahiza Garcia (May 26, 2018) CNNMoney Sport website. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
Career Profile: “Sports Agent - What They Do.” (n.d.). College Foundation of North Carolina website. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
Scholarships for Becoming a Sports Agent
Scholarships in Canada and the United States listed for majors that apply to becoming a Sports Agent can be found on our All Scholarships by Major page.
Success Tip: Be sure to apply for any scholarships that you even barely qualify for, as there are millions of dollars of scholarships that go unused every year due to a lack of applicants!
Becoming a Sports Agent: Applicable Majors
Studying one of the university majors listed below is an excellent starting point to becoming a sports agent. Click on the links to find out what else you can do with these majors!
