About this course: 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.
Who is this class for: This course is primarily aimed at individuals interested in becoming sports agents, all individuals within the sport industry, and individuals with a passion for sport. The level of difficulty is suitable for learners of all ages and educational levels.
Created by: Case Western Reserve University
Taught by: Peter A. Carfagna, Distinguished Practitioner in Residence
School of Law
Taught by: Richard J. Volante, Esq., Adjunct Instructor, Representing the Professional Athlete
Case Western Reserve University School of Law
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 11 modules of study, approximately 2 to 2.5 hours of work per module |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
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 agen...
8 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Module 1 Quiz
WEEK 2
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.
The optional videos lo...
5 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Module 2 Quiz
WEEK 3
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 wi...
10 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Module 3 Quiz
Graded: Entering the Draft and Achieving Free Agency -- The Pre-Professional Athlete Turns Pro
WEEK 4
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.
7 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Module 4 Quiz
WEEK 5
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 decis...
6 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Module 5 Quiz
Graded: Endorsement Agreements: Category Exclusivity for the Peak Professional Athlete
WEEK 6
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.
9 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Module 6 Quiz
Graded: Representing the Mature Athlete Considering Retirement: Licensing vs. Buy-in
WEEK 7
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’ t...
5 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Module 7 Quiz
WEEK 8
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 ap...
5 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Module 8 Quiz
Graded: Suitability Clauses for the Rising Superstar Golfer
WEEK 9
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 Davi...
4 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Module 9 Quiz
WEEK 10
Module 10: Representing the Professional Footballer Pt. II
3 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Module 10 Quiz
Graded: Representing the Professional Footballer
WEEK 11
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...
4 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Module 11 Quiz
Graded: Course Reflection: Being an Agent
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Creators
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.
Pricing
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
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Great sources of information, prominent guests and speakers, high quality learning. Moderately lenient in course load, assignments, quizzes, and peer-reviews.