Does anybody know how one becomes a player agent?

[Captain Sane 2]

Right now I'm in my first year in law school, and one of the career options I'm considering is going into athlete representation. I did a little bit of research and it seems like it's a bit of an open career path, and it just takes getting to know people and stuff like that. I also found that the NHL doesn't publish their certification requirements/standards, and I've also noticed that it seems like a lot of smaller sports management firms tend to represent hockey players rather than large firms (obviously there are exceptions with the more popular players). So does anybody know anything about the career path of becoming a player agent, and specifically working with pro hockey players?

[gxc999 7]

Right now I'm in my first year in law school, and one of the career options I'm considering is going into athlete representation. I did a little bit of research and it seems like it's a bit of an open career path, and it just takes getting to know people and stuff like that. I also found that the NHL doesn't publish their certification requirements/standards, and I've also noticed that it seems like a lot of smaller sports management firms tend to represent hockey players rather than large firms (obviously there are exceptions with the more popular players). So does anybody know anything about the career path of becoming a player agent, and specifically working with pro hockey players?

I'm going to give you the long and short of it, and it's probably not what you'll like to hear, but here we go. It's a very hard business to break into, not only do you have to know pro athletes, but you also need to be friendly with current successful agents and have a strong reputation. Furthermore, it really helps to know some team executives or at least have strong connections with a successful NHL franchise. A friend of mine who played a bit of serious puck back in the day is trying to break into it now and despite knowing some big names, a couple NHL'ers included, he's finding it ridiculously difficult and draining. Even still, the biggest problem is the law of supply and demand. Practically everyone wants to do it and the jobs are few and far between. Consider that most successful agents didn't originally intend to become that, they generally fall into it after being successful lawyers in other areas...

I honestly strongly advise you pick another career path.

[DEATHTRON 19]

You're on the right path starting your law degree. Potentially interning at one of the representation firsm would be a start I would imagine (assuming any take interns).

Zach

[lappin27 0]

A good idea would be to try and get some internship with a representation firm. Last year my representative had 3 interns at our summer training camp.

[Captain Sane 2]

I looked online and IMG takes quite a few interns so I may try and get in there. They don't represent any hockey players (at least as far as I know), but it's probably the biggest rep. firm in the world so it would be a pretty good opportunity.

And gxc, I realize it's a tough business to get a start in, but so is pretty much any legal field, so it's not like I'm passing up any sure things in favor of this. I just think it's at least worth exploring and if it doesn't work out, so be it.

[Jason Harris 31]

flymonty3 was my rep while I was doing Salming. He played college hockey and started his own agency by placing his friends and teammates on teams internationally.

Try contacting him for insight.