ABSTRACT
Athlete representation, also known as the athlete agent or sport agent business, is a visible and highly publicized element of the sport industry. This segment of the sport industry presents many unique challenges for sport managers. This chapter introduces basic notions of agency law and how those principles apply in a sport management context, exploring in detail the specific laws applicable to athlete agents and the unique legal issues related to athlete representation. The first section discusses the creation of an agency relationship, the scope of authority of agents, and the duties between principals and agents. The second section focuses on specific issues and disputes that may arise between athletes and agents. The last section focuses on the regulation of athlete agents regarding their dealings with student-athletes who still possess amateur eligibility and discusses the role of professional players associations in promoting the interests of professional athletes. Exhibit 10.1 presents the management contexts and applicable laws discussed in the chapter.
