The Business of Sports Agents, 2nd Edition [Hardcover]

Kenneth L. Shropshire (Author), Timothy Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 28, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0812240847 | ISBN-13: 978-0812240849 | Edition: 2nd

The legendary Charles C. "Cash and Carry" Pyle, considered by most to be the first sports agent, negotiated a $3,000-per-game contract for Red Grange to play professional football for the Chicago Bears in 1933. Today, salaries in the tens of millions of dollars are commonplace, and instead of theatrical promoters and impresarios, professionally trained businessmen and lawyers dominate the business. But whereas rules and penalties govern the playing field, there are far fewer restrictions on agents. Incidents of agents' manipulating athletes, ranging from investment scams to outright theft of a player's money, are far too frequent, and there is growing consensus for reform

In The Business of Sports Agents, Kenneth L. Shropshire and Timothy Davis, experts in the fields of sports business and law, examine the history of the sports agent business and the rules and laws developed to regulate the profession. They also consider recommendations for reform, including uniform laws that would apply to all agents, redefining amateurism in college sports, and stiffening requirements for licensing agents. This revised and expanded second edition brings the volume up-to-date on recent changes in the industry, including:

- the closing of one of the largest agencies
- high-profile personnel moves
- passage of the federal Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act
- the National Football League's aggressive and high-profile efforts to regulate agents

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A timely look at the business, legal and ethical aspects of the athlete representation business. The authors spotlight the unsavory side of the business, from improper payments to student athletes to agents defrauding their pro clients. They offer a series of possible cures, including tougher regulation of agents and changing the way we think of amateurism."—Street and Smith's SportsBusiness Journal

About the Author

Kenneth L. Shropshire is David Hauck Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Director of the Wharton Sports Business Initiative. He is author of Agents of Opportunity: Sports Agents and Corruption in Collegiate Sports, also published by the University of Pennsylvania Press. Timothy Davis is the John W. and Ruth H. Turnage Professor of Law at Wake Forest University School of Law. He is coauthor of Sports and the Law: A Modern Anthology.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press; 2nd edition (May 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812240847
• ISBN-13: 978-0812240849
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Law > Business > Entertainment
  • #19 in Books > Law > Intellectual Property
  • #37 in Books > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > Sports & Entertainment

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book about American Sports Representation October 8, 2003

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I just wanted to refute the review below. It must be for another book. This book has nothing to do with British sports or soccer. It deals with American sports--basketball, baseball, and football--and discusses both the history and problems of sports representation. As earlier reviews recommend, it is a 'must read' for anyone aspiring to be a sports agent.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for anyone looking to get into the industry. September 4, 2008

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Hardcover

It takes skill to deal with the massive corporations that are NFL, MLB, and NBA teams, just like it takes skill to play in those leagues. This newly expanded and updated second edition of "The Business of Sports Agents" is a guide to the subject of the title of the book. Covering the recent changes in the industry, including one agency closing in spite of its size, the constant changes that the business faces, and more. It also covers recent legal challenges, and the league's backlashes against some agents' tactics. "The Business of Sports Agents" is highly recommended for anyone looking to get into the industry.

9 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book February 28, 2005

By Mark Dennis

Format:Hardcover

This book explains the basics of how to become a sports agent. If you are looking for more info, I would also recommend you check out these useful sites: [...] [...] and [...]

4 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading for Future Sports Agents November 5, 2002

By Dr. G. Lynn Lashbrook

Format:Hardcover

This book is a must read for anyone seriously considering to become a Sports Agents. It is a required reading for our online Professional Athlete Mangement course.

Dr. G. Lynn Lashbrook
President
SportsManagementU.com

3 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ FOR FUTURE SPORTS AGENTS! November 6, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

This book is a must read for anyone considering becoming a sports agent. The authors understand the industry and the issues it faces in the future. It is our primary textbook for our online Professional Athlete Management Course.

Dr. G. Lynn Lashbrook
President
SportsManagementU

3 of 15 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Better for Britons September 30, 2003

By Patrick T. Mulry

Format:Hardcover

This book is interesting, yet focuses primarily on sports business in the UK, and particularly in regard to dealings with soccer clubs. But in terms of applicability to the US market, it's mostly interesting only as a tangential reference.

3 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Future Sports Agents November 8, 2002

By Dr. G. Lynn Lashbrook

Format:Hardcover

This is require reading for our online Sports Agent Course.

Dr. G. Lynn Lashbrook
SportsManagementU