I would add the following:

1. The agent and the player need to get ahead of any potential story. Like an attorney who doesn’t ask a question he doesn’t know the answer to, the agent should have required his client to (1) take a comprehensive physical in order for all to know the facts; (2) IF issues are flagged, a second opinion and/or a specialist could be consulted; (3) under HIPAA, the information is privileged and the client can waive in favor of who he decides.

2. The player can have medical records that he discloses to prospective clubs and can have the option of taking/refusing to take a physical, or to have his medical experts speak directly with the team physician.

The agent’s duty is to the player. This was a million dollar mistake, but not the first like this by an agent. Faulty exams, faulty comments by non-specialist doctors, does not inure to the benefit of the player.

It is worth the dollars investment to get your own doctors on the record first.

I would NOT call the ethics of these inspections into question, its the release of the medical information that should be managed in a better manner.

Since it is a medical situation, HIPPA laws do apply and I am sure that is the main reason why us agents are not in the loop on the outcomes of these physicals.

Its not a question of pass or fail, its a matter of inspection to identify any health issues.

It’s all about the insurance policy… don’t be fooled…

A doctor will run an echo and stress test and if he sees something he will note it in the records and move on to the next player. Its not his call to say the kid has health problems but once he is asked his about risk factors he has to disclose anything that could be an issue with insuring the player.

Thats when team loyality comes in….

No doctor wants to end a players career before it even starts. But understand their job, they hold a seat at the GM table so at some point they have input from a business standpoint.

There should be some type of notification to the player and his agent before it hits the rumor mill.

When a doctors notes a players medical records that he failed a exam, that information will reach the teams before the agent because the teams can request this information as soon as the ink is dry.

When you have 30 team staying in the same hotel, it doesnt take long for things to spead…

This information is off limits to agents and famlies. The player can request a copy in a formal letter but we are talking about days before a draft (See Aurthur) so by the time the agent and player are trying get a second look you are now days from the draft and have lost workout days because no team will see you.

No CERTIFIED agent in any sport would let their client’s future hang knowing there is always a second doctor to see…

Is it possible that some team doctor could “see” something in order to have a player drop in the draft and possibly have the team that doctor is working for have a better chance to select the particular player?

Seems like a dirty move to me, but in the era of performance enhancing drugs, Spygate, Tim Donaghy, etc. I definitely wouldn’t be surprised.