4.7
stars
131 ratings

Peter A. Carfagna +1 more instructor

12,674 already enrolled

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Becoming a Sports Agent

Case Western Reserve University

About this Course

10,583 recent views

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.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 30 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (European), Russian, English, Spanish

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 30 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (European), Russian, English, Spanish

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.94/5 (19 Ratings)

Peter A. Carfagna

Distinguished Practitioner in Residence

School of Law

12,674 Learners

1 Course

Richard J. Volante, Esq.

Adjunct Instructor, Representing the Professional Athlete

Case Western Reserve University School of Law

12,674 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

Content Rating96%(1,226 ratings)

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

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

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

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

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 Quiz30m

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

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

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

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

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

Reviews

4.7

40 reviews

5 stars
78.78%
4 stars
17.42%
3 stars
3.03%
1 star
0.75%

TOP REVIEWS FROM BECOMING A SPORTS AGENT

by DRNov 3, 2019

A good introduction into all sports, but i am not sure if it was mentioned anywhere that you need to apply for different licenses with each league to become an agent.

by TNDec 12, 2018

I loved every minute of this course. I've learned a lot about what I really needed to chase this dream. I love sports & I found what I was looking for. Thank you Coursera & CWR University.

by ANDec 2, 2021

participation in this very course was my absolute privilege.

by MDApr 11, 2021

Very insightful and has given me great knowledge that I will implement throughout the the remainder of the studies and work life

View all reviews

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:
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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.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Becoming a Sports Agent

Becoming a Sports Agent

About this Course