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.
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.
Fred Nance - NFL Commissioner's Authority•10 minutes
Andy Simms - Representing NFL Players•24 minutes
Jay Reisinger - Baseball Arbitrations•15 minutes
Play Act - Reaching Free Agency in the NFL, NBA and MLB•12 minutes
2 readings•Total 35 minutes
Guest Speaker Bios•5 minutes
Reading Assignments•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 1 Quiz•30 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 25 minutes
Introduce Yourself•5 minutes
NFL Domestic Violence Policy•10 minutes
CBA Analysis•10 minutes
Module 2: Recruiting and Managing Clients
Module 2•3 hours to complete
Module details
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 look at the fiduciary duties an agent owes his client.
Miles Welo - Breaking Into the Industry and Growing an Agency•38 minutes
Dale Sheptak - Managing Clients and the Effect of Professional Sports on Youth Sports•34 minutes
Darren Heitner - Fiduciary Duties of Agents Pt. I•13 minutes
Darren Heitner - Fiduciary Duties of Agents Pt. II•10 minutes
2 readings•Total 25 minutes
Guest Speaker Bios•5 minutes
Reading Assignments•20 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 2 Quiz•30 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
Recruiting Clients•10 minutes
Managing Clients•10 minutes
Module 3: Early Stages of Professionalism and Selecting an Agency
Module 3•3 hours to complete
Module details
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.”
John Palguta - Financial Planning for Athletes in the Early Stages•15 minutes
Clint Frazier - The Life of a Minor League Baseball Player Pt. I•10 minutes
Clint Frazier - The Life of a Minor League Baseball Player Pt. II•6 minutes
Fred Nance - LeBron James, The Early Years•10 minutes
Jeff Schwartz - Representing Young NBA Stars•12 minutes
Play Act - Handling Athletes in the Early Years•6 minutes
Brad Seymour - Minor League Baseball Pt. I•8 minutes
Brad Seymour - Minor League Baseball Pt. II•12 minutes
2 readings•Total 25 minutes
Guest Speaker Bios•5 minutes
Reading Assignments•20 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
Module 3 Quiz•20 minutes
1 peer review•Total 20 minutes
Entering the Draft and Achieving Free Agency -- The Pre-Professional Athlete Turns Pro•20 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
Analyzing LeBron's "Decision"•10 minutes
Pick Any Young Athlete•10 minutes
Module 4: Representing the Peak Professional Athlete Pt. I
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
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.
Craig Nard - Legal Evolution of Publicity Rights•22 minutes
Marketing an Athlete•11 minutes
Ron Katz - Jim Brown v. Electronic Arts•19 minutes
Play Act - Sport Marketing•6 minutes
2 readings•Total 25 minutes
Guest Speaker Bio•5 minutes
Reading Assignments•20 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 4 Quiz•30 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
Brand Management•10 minutes
Monetization of Publicity Rights•10 minutes
Module 5: Representing the Peak Professional Athlete Pt. II
Module 5•3 hours to complete
Module details
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.
Jeff Schwartz - Representing Peak NBA Stars•13 minutes
John Palguta - Financial Planning for Peak Professional Athletes•8 minutes
Jay Reisinger - Rehabilitating an Athlete's Brand•15 minutes
Fred Nance - LeBron's Return to Cleveland•17 minutes
Play Act - Representing Peak Professional Athletes•8 minutes
2 readings•Total 30 minutes
Guest Speaker Bios•5 minutes
Reading Assignments•25 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 5 Quiz•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 20 minutes
Endorsement Agreements: Category Exclusivity for the Peak Professional Athlete•20 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
LeBron's Lifetime Nike Deal•10 minutes
Endorsements by Tarnished Athletes•10 minutes
Module 6: Income Protection and Life After Retirement
Module 6•3 hours to complete
Module details
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.
John Palguta - Financial Planning for Mature and Retired Athletes•9 minutes
Jim Convertino - Insurance and Risk Management of Athletes Pt. I•8 minutes
Jim Convertino - Insurance and Risk Management of Athletes Pt. II•8 minutes
Career-Ending Injuries•10 minutes
Concussions in Sports•4 minutes
Chris Nowinski - Concussions in Football Pt. I•13 minutes
Chris Nowinski - Concussions in Football Pt. II•8 minutes
Play Act - Representing Mature Athletes•6 minutes
2 readings•Total 25 minutes
Guest Speaker Bios•5 minutes
Reading Assignments•20 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 6 Quiz•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 20 minutes
Representing the Mature Athlete Considering Retirement: Licensing vs. Buy-in•20 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
Preparing Client's for Retirement•10 minutes
NFL Players' Assumption of Risk•10 minutes
Module 7: Life Cycle of Individual Sports, the Longest Career Trajectory Pt. I
Module 7•2 hours to complete
Module details
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.
Dave Lightner - Representing Golfers Pt. I•19 minutes
Dave Lightner - Representing Golfers Pt. II•15 minutes
Michael Whan - The LPGA Pt. I•21 minutes
Michael Whan - The LPGA Pt. II•15 minutes
2 readings•Total 25 minutes
Guest Speaker Bios•5 minutes
Reading Assignments•20 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 7 Quiz•30 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
Is Golf the Best for Agents?•10 minutes
Diversification Efforts for a Superstar Client•10 minutes
Module 8: Life Cycle of Individual Sports, the Longest Career Trajectory Pt. II
Module 8•3 hours to complete
Module details
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.
Gavin Forbes - Representing Tennis Players Pt. I•21 minutes
Gavin Forbes - Representing Tennis Players Pt. II•15 minutes
Michael Whan - The LPGA Media Rights Agreement•6 minutes
Play Act - Representing Individual Sport Athletes•15 minutes
2 readings•Total 25 minutes
Guest Speaker Bios•5 minutes
Reading Assignments•20 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 8 Quiz•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 20 minutes
Suitability Clauses for the Rising Superstar Golfer•20 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 30 minutes
Building a Brand On and Off the Field•10 minutes
WTA Media Deal•10 minutes
Marketable Tennis Players•10 minutes
Module 9: Representing the Professional Footballer Pt. I
Module 9•2 hours to complete
Module details
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.
Carol Couse - Client Recruitment and Management•16 minutes
Carol Couse - Process of a Transfer and Contract Negotiations•24 minutes
Play Act - Agents in Soccer•24 minutes
2 readings•Total 30 minutes
Guest Speaker Bio•10 minutes
Reading Assignments•20 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Module 10 Quiz•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 30 minutes
Representing the Professional Footballer •30 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
Agents in Soccer•10 minutes
U.S. Brands vs. Brands Abroad•10 minutes
Module 11: Representing the Professional Footballer Pt. III
Module 11•3 hours to complete
Module details
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.
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.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. 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.
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.