going pro: a legal guide for the college athlete

Going Pro: A Legal Guide for the College Athlete

Prepared for

College Completion

• Some athletes choose to leave college early.• Most professional athletic organizations

recommend finishing a higher degree.• A degree offers some backup stability.• Only 1 percent of college athletes successfully

join a professional team.

Agent Responsibilities

• Navigates new territory for a player• Assists with career management• Handles some public relations• Deals with contract negotiations• Acts in the best interest of the player

at all times• Acts honestly and ethically

Team Selection

• Few players spend their entire career with one team.

• The first team is often a jumping off point.• The agent or manager helps match the athlete

with the best team.

Contract negotiations

• A sports attorney helps with major sections of a professional contract.

• Compensation and length of contract are important.

• A sports attorney helps negotiate contracts with third party members (agents, manager).

• A contract should focus on the player’s progress in the sport.