Comments on: Family Acting as Agents: It’s just not right!

By: SportsAgentBlog.com - I Want to be a Sports Agent» Entertainment NFL Players » Simpson Guilty: Attempted Murder Of Romo’s Relationship With Jessica

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:03:29 +0000

[...] Joe must have never read this post by SportsAgentBlog.com contributor, Paul Schackman: Family Acting as Agents: It’s just not right! Tags: jerry jones, Jessica Simpson, joe simpson, Ken Kremer, Nick Lachey, nick lachey and jessica [...]

By: SportsAgentBlog.com - I Want to be a Sports Agent » Blog Archive » Like Father, Like Son???

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 23:02:10 +0000

[...] weeks ago I came across a story that relates in a way to an article I wrote a few months back. This story has to do with DeBartolo Sports and Entertainment signing professional wrestler Joe [...]

By: Jason Wulterkens

Jason Wulterkens — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 04:34:15 +0000

I think you’re spot on. How much experience he has is beside the point. The real question is, will he be held to a different (i.e., lower) standard by those clients of his with family or other ties (e.g., Oden, Conley, Jr.)?

By: pauls

pauls — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 23:51:51 +0000

I see this topic has alot of people disagreeing with me which is totally fine I rather people disagree than have no opinion at all.

I am not argueing whether or not Mike Sr. turns into a good agent or not, or if he is a good guy or not I believe in the future he will turn out to be a fine agent, as I person from what I have seen he seems like a good guy.

But in terms on Mike Conley Jr, and Greg Oden I just believe because of the nature of the business they should be represented by a neutral person with no ties to the family or friends.

It’s just my opinion but I appreciate the feedback

By: Drew

Drew — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 20:45:36 +0000

Sorry hear not here.

By: Drew

Drew — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 20:43:56 +0000

As we saw in the interview with David Price and constantly here from various interviews and articles players want an agent they can trust. In most cases it’s as simple as that they want someone who will tell them the truth and who will represent them with integrity. From my limited experience and conversations with agents doing things like negotiating contracts is not a tough thing to do. Especially in the case of a first and fourth pick overall in baseketball and so these guys were looking for someone they can trust and Conley Sr. is that guy. Conley Sr. obviously isn’t just some dad who has watched his son grow into a star and decided that he wanted to represent him in the NBA. The guy is a well respected former athlete.

By: Darren

Darren — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 05:40:31 +0000

You mean it’s the best agency right after Dynasty…

In all seriousness, though, without Conley Sr. in the mix over at BDA, he would have only been a part of representing Oden, Conley Jr., and Cook. While still impressive, being at BDA adds his name on 7 other players selected in the same draft. It builds his reputation just being a part of BDA. GSM, as a company, may have been more in the forefront of the media had Conley Sr. not joined forces with Duffy.

Either way, Goodwin seems to be doing just fine.

By: Cleo

Cleo — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 05:35:12 +0000

I also think that Mike Conley is a lot different from the average joe….Very smart move by Conley. Conley Sr. is using his son as a networking tool, which I believe is okay. He obviously had some type of bond with Oden. I have a feeling that Conley Sr. can hang around OSU for a while and continue to grab top prospects. I see nothing wrong with keeping money in the family as long as that person is qualified. “It’s not always what you know, but who you know.” Nowadays, it doesn’t really matter what qualifications a person has. Lebron fired the Goodwins just to give his freind a job…..

p.s. I’m bias, but I think GSM is the best agency!!!!

By: Jason Wulterkens

Jason Wulterkens — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 03:58:20 +0000

Good stuff, Paul. Mixing family and business within the context of sports reminds me of Sean O’Hair (PGA pro) and his father, the latter of whom once forced Sean to sign a “contract” when Sean was 17 guaranteeing the old man 10% of any future earnings in consideration for his training and tutelage.

Needless to say the “contract” has since been torn up, and Sean rarely speaks to his Dad anymore.

By: Andrew Bouthiller

Andrew Bouthiller — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 02:13:03 +0000

One of the primary reasons I think Conley Sr. will be a good choice for represenation for his son (and Oden) is because of his prior experience. Conley Sr. isn’t just some ordinary joe who is trying to cash in on his son’s professional career. Though he doesn’t have any experience working directly as a player-representative, his resume is outstanding and will serve as a strong foundation as he begins his work as a sports agent:

From “Sports Law Blog” (http://sports-law.blogspot.com/):

* He is a three-time Olympian and former Olympic gold medalist in the triple jump.
* He has coached summer basketball teams to six AAU national titles.
* He is executive director of World Sport Chicago, a group aiming to land the 2016 Olympics for Chicago.
* He spent seven years as executive director of Elite Athlete Programs for USA Track & Field, where he oversaw the agent program and wrote the agent handbook.
* He established the Professional Athletics Association for track and field athletes.

Conley Sr. is also outsourcing all endorsement and financial planning services needed by his clients. In addition, he will be able to seek help from Duffy if needed.

Conley Sr. is a stark contrast to Mina Brees. Drew Brees’ mother had no prior experience in the sports world and had been practicing primarily civil and administrative law for her entire career.