Who is an Agent? Whether registered or not, literally anyone can meet the definition of an agent. Making any sort of agreement with someone, regardless of whether they claim to be an agent, can and will be considered by the NCAA as a loss of your amateurism. While the NCAA definition is quite long and confusing, a good baseline is to simply refrain for entering into any type of agreement with anyone for any services relating to a professional career until you are ready to forego your remaining eligibility. If at any point you have a question(s), please contact the Office of Compliance for assistance.
Use of Agents
General Rule: You will be ineligible for participation in an intercollegiate sport if you ever agree, either verbally or in writing, to be represented by an agent for the purpose of marketing your athletics ability or reputation in that sport.
Representation for Future Negotiations:
You will be ineligible if you enter into a verbal or written agreement with an agent for representation in future professional sports negotiations that are to take place after you complete your eligibility.
Benefits from Agents:
You will be ineligible if you (your relatives or friends) accepts any benefits from any person who represents an individual in the marketing of their athletics ability. Receiving such expenses constitutes compensation based on athletics skill and is an extra benefit not available to the student body in general.
Legal Counsel:
Securing advice from a lawyer concerning a proposed professional sports contract shall not be considered contracting for representation by an agent unless the lawyer also represents the student-athlete in negotiations for such a contract. A lawyer may not be present during discussions of a contract offer with a professional organization or have any direct contact (i.e., in person, by telephone or by mail) with a professional sports organization on behalf of the student-athlete. A lawyer’s presence during such discussions is considered representation by an agent.
If you wish to secure legal counsel for purposes of advisement, please download and complete the
STUDENT-ATHLETE AGENT/ADVISOR form and return to the Office of Compliance to obtain approval prior to securing legal services.
