Becoming a Sports Agent

Case Western Reserve University

About this Course

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An immersive experience in the world of sports that will take students through the four stages of a professional athlete's career. Utilizing lectures, guest speakers, reading assignments and hypothetical walkthroughs, students will learn how the best sports agents manage clients at each of these four stages.
This course will provide each student with the skills necessary to guide an athlete through the difficult decisions that can make or lose the athlete millions of dollars, as well as affect their public image and career. Walking through the four stages of an athlete's career, we will provide a broad scope of the landscape of amateur and professional sports so that you can avoid the pitfalls and traps that so many have fallen into in the past; not to mention, bringing you updates throughout the course regarding the rapidly changing sports world that we live in today. Analyzing the best practices in the management of the superstar athletes with whom Professor Carfagna, Professor Volante and their expert guests have worked, we will show you how to manage the career of any professional athlete who might seek your guidance at any stage of his or her professional career.

Learner Career Outcomes

25%

started a new career after completing these courses

40%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 28 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Learner Career Outcomes

25%

started a new career after completing these courses

40%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 28 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Instructors

Peter A. Carfagna

Distinguished Practitioner in Residence

School of Law

7,518 Learners

1 Course

Richard J. Volante, Esq.

Adjunct Instructor, Representing the Professional Athlete

Case Western Reserve University School of Law

7,518 Learners

1 Course

Offered by

Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University is a leading national research university located in Cleveland, Ohio. Through its seven schools and college, Case Western Reserve offers top-10 programs in health law, organizational behavior and social work and top-25 programs in biomedical engineering, international law, medicine and nursing. More than 4,000 undergraduate and nearly 6,000 graduate and professional students are enrolled at CWRU, representing all 50 states and more than 90 countries.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week

Week 1

3 hours to complete

Module 1: Introduction to Agents and the Collective Bargaining Agreements of the MLB, NFL and NBA

An introduction to the duties of an agent; the "Rep K" that controls the player-agent relationship; and an analysis of the collective bargaining agreements that govern the three major leagues in the US -- including how a professional athlete achieves free agency in each major league and how players can be punished for improper behavior on and off the field.

3 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 81 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

8 videos

Introducing the Course1m

Lesson Introduction1m

The Representation Agreement ("Rep K")4m

NFL Commissioner12m

Fred Nance - NFL Commissioner's Authority9m

Andy Simms - Representing NFL Players24m

Jay Reisinger - Baseball Arbitrations14m

Play Act - Reaching Free Agency in the NFL, NBA and MLB11m

2 readings

Guest Speaker Bios5m

Reading Assignments30m

1 practice exercise

Module 1 Quiz20m

Week

Week 2

3 hours to complete

Module 2: Recruiting and Managing Clients

An introduction on how to approach recruiting clients, how to build an agency, and how to manage clients once they have signed a representation agreement; an analysis of the effect of professional sports on youth sports, and vice versa.

3 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 108 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

5 videos

Lesson Introduction - Recruiting Clients13m

Miles Welo - Breaking Into the Industry and Growing an Agency37m

Dale Sheptak - Managing Clients and the Effect of Professional Sports on Youth Sports33m

Darren Heitner - Fiduciary Duties of Agents Pt. I12m

Darren Heitner - Fiduciary Duties of Agents Pt. II10m

2 readings

Guest Speaker Bios5m

Reading Assignments20m

1 practice exercise

Module 2 Quiz20m

Week

Week 3

3 hours to complete

Module 3: Early Stages of Professionalism and Selecting an Agency

How the best high school baseball player in the U.S. in 2013, Clint Frazier, went about selecting his management team; the way Major League Baseball teams handle their minor leaguers; and what it takes for any of them to reach the Majors. In this Lesson, we will also study how an agent can build an agency from the ground up, and represent professional athletes through their progression to their peak earning years. Finally, a look into the beginning of LeBron James’ career with his personal attorney, up to “The Decision.”

3 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 87 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

10 videos

Lesson Introduction1m

Age Eligibility7m

John Palguta - Financial Planning for Athletes in the Early Stages15m

Clint Frazier - The Life of a Minor League Baseball Player Pt. I9m

Clint Frazier - The Life of a Minor League Baseball Player Pt. II5m

Fred Nance - LeBron James, The Early Years9m

Jeff Schwartz - Representing Young NBA Stars11m

Play Act - Handling Athletes in the Early Years6m

Brad Seymour - Minor League Baseball Pt. I8m

Brad Seymour - Minor League Baseball Pt. II12m

2 readings

Guest Speaker Bios5m

Reading Assignments20m

1 practice exercise

Module 3 Quiz20m

Week

Week 4

2 hours to complete

Module 4: Representing the Peak Professional Athlete Pt. I

Protecting the publicity rights of athletes while monetizing and maximizing their brands through product endorsement and license agreements. We will analyze the history of publicity rights and how to market your clients image effectively.

2 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 73 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

7 videos

Lesson Introduction1m

Product Endorsement Agreements6m

Publicity Rights7m

Craig Nard - Legal Evolution of Publicity Rights22m

Marketing an Athlete10m

Ron Katz - Jim Brown v. Electronic Arts18m

Play Act - Sport Marketing5m

2 readings

Guest Speaker Bio5m

Reading Assignments20m

1 practice exercise

Module 4 Quiz20m

Week

Week 5

3 hours to complete

Module 5: Representing the Peak Professional Athlete Pt. II

Rebuilding the reputation of athletes who have damaged their brands. How a financial advisor can help a player manage income streams to maintain their lifestyle post-retirement. Also, we will discuss whether LeBron James made the right long-term branding decision by returning to Cleveland, and where his brand will go from here.

3 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 62 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

6 videos

Lesson Introduction1m

Jeff Schwartz - Representing Peak NBA Stars12m

John Palguta - Financial Planning for Peak Professional Athletes7m

Jay Reisinger - Rehabilitating an Athlete's Brand14m

Fred Nance - LeBron's Return to Cleveland16m

Play Act - Representing Peak Professional Athletes7m

2 readings

Guest Speaker Bios5m

Reading Assignments25m

1 practice exercise

Module 5 Quiz20m

Week

Week 6

3 hours to complete

Module 6: Income Protection and Life After Retirement

Protecting an athlete's income through insurance policies; an analysis of the on-going concussion epidemic in contact sports; and how an athlete can best prepare for life after retirement.

3 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 68 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

9 videos

Lesson Introduction1m

John Palguta - Financial Planning for Mature and Retired Athletes9m

Jim Convertino - Insurance and Risk Management of Athletes Pt. I7m

Jim Convertino - Insurance and Risk Management of Athletes Pt. II7m

Career-Ending Injuries9m

Concussions in Sports4m

Chris Nowinski - Concussions in Football Pt. I12m

Chris Nowinski - Concussions in Football Pt. II8m

Play Act - Representing Mature Athletes6m

2 readings

Guest Speaker Bios5m

Reading Assignments20m

1 practice exercise

Module 6 Quiz20m

Week

Week 7

2 hours to complete

Module 7: Life Cycle of Individual Sports, the Longest Career Trajectory Pt. I

An introduction to the world of golf and tennis athletes who have enjoyed the longest careers in sports. Insider experts' look into how an athlete can diversify his or her brand. Also, the Commissioner of the LPGA will discuss the ins and outs of the ladies’ tour.

2 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 71 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

5 videos

Lesson Introduction1m

Dave Lightner - Representing Golfers Pt. I19m

Dave Lightner - Representing Golfers Pt. II14m

Michael Whan - The LPGA Pt. I21m

Michael Whan - The LPGA Pt. II14m

2 readings

Guest Speaker Bios5m

Reading Assignments20m

1 practice exercise

Module 7 Quiz20m

Week

Week 8

3 hours to complete

Module 8: Life Cycle of Individual Sports, the Longest Career Trajectory Pt. II

An introduction to the world of golf and tennis athletes who have enjoyed longest careers in sports. Insider experts' look into how an athlete can diversify his or her brand. How an agent can best protect his or her athlete in endorsement agreements through appropriately drafted suitability and morals clauses.

3 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 58 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

5 videos

Lesson Introduction1m

Gavin Forbes - Representing Tennis Players Pt. I20m

Gavin Forbes - Representing Tennis Players Pt. II15m

Michael Whan - The LPGA Media Rights Agreement5m

Play Act - Representing Individual Sport Athletes14m

2 readings

Guest Speaker Bios5m

Reading Assignments20m

1 practice exercise

Module 8 Quiz20m

Week

Week 9

2 hours to complete

Module 9: Representing the Professional Footballer Pt. I

An in-depth look into the life of a footballer, from the youth squad to the first team and after retirement. How to handle a player deciding whether or not to continue their career following a series of injuries. How to handle the career of the next young David Beckham, from loans to transfers to bumper contracts and more -- how to monetize the brand of your footballer, while ensuring their focus with success on the pitch.

2 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 65 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

4 videos

Lesson Introduction1m

Danny Karbassiyoon - The Life of a Footballer13m

Danny Karbassiyoon - The Life of a Scout20m

Play Act - Representing Professional Footballers29m

2 readings

Guest Speaker Bio5m

Reading Assignments20m

1 practice exercise

Module 9 Quiz20m

Week

Week 10

3 hours to complete

Module 10: Representing the Professional Footballer Pt. II

3 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 64 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

3 videos

Carol Couse - Client Recruitment and Management15m

Carol Couse - Process of a Transfer and Contract Negotiations24m

Play Act - Agents in Soccer24m

2 readings

Guest Speaker Bio10m

Reading Assignments20m

1 practice exercise

Module 10 Quiz12m

Week

Week 11

3 hours to complete

Module 11: Representing the Professional Footballer Pt. III

An in-depth look into the operations of football club AFC Bournemouth with chairman Jeff Mostyn -- Jeff will also describe his roles with the FA Council. An analysis of the contract clauses in football, in particular release clauses, buyout clauses and sell-on clauses, and a brief glimpse into third-party ownership and how a transfer works. Finally, a look at the most influential agents in Europe and how they have come to be successful.

3 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 60 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

4 videos

Lesson Introduction1m

Jeff Mostyn - Operating a Football Club Pt. I28m

Jeff Mostyn - Operating a Football Club Pt. II16m

Ron Katz - Safer Soccer13m

2 readings

Guest Speaker Bios5m

Reading Assignments20m

1 practice exercise

Module 11 Quiz20m

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You’ll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. Learn more.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
This Course doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Course Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more. Online Degrees and Mastertrack™ Certificates on Coursera provide the opportunity to earn university credit.

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Becoming a Sports Agent