Sports agents help athletes promote their careers by marketing the athletes or products related to the athletes [source: Job Profiles]. If you'd like to become a sports agent, you'll need to:
- Be knowledgeable about business management, investments and financial and risk analysis
- Be knowledgeable about the sports in which you intend to have clients
- Have excellent communication skills and negotiation skills
- Have the time and motivation to spend hours at the bargaining table
- Be ready to travel to meet with and represent clients
- Be able to multitask -- you'll probably have more than one negotiation on the table at a time.[source: Job Profiles]
To get into the industry, you should:
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- Study subjects such as communications, marketing and law in college. Although sports agents don't need a bachelor's or graduate degree, you will need plenty of knowledge about business management, investments and financial and risk analysis [source: Job Profiles].
- Get an internship in a sports representation company.
- Get licensed. Some states require sports agents who recruit student athletes to register with the secretary of state's Professional Licensing Board Division and to get a license [source: Heitner]. Registration isn't necessary if you're recruiting other athletes. The registration fee is usually around $500. You will have to renew your license every two years [source: NVSOS].
As a sports agent, these are some of the things you'll be expected to do:
- Network with other professionals in the industry
- Keep abreast of the trends in the sports in which your clients compete
- Meet with team owners, managers and coaches to promote your clients
- Advise clients and help them make decisions that are in their best interests
- Draw up contracts and negotiate contract details, including salaries and provisions for injuries
