Comments on: Are We Really Needed? http://www.sportsagentblog.com/2009/03/24/are-we-really-needed/ Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:23:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Darren Heitner http://www.sportsagentblog.com/2009/03/24/are-we-really-needed/#comment-122873 Darren Heitner Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:26:21 +0000 http://www.sportsagentblog.com/?p=4720#comment-122873 The boys are doing extremely well. Leatherman will probably start in High A, although nothing has been announced yet. He also did an interview last night that I will put up either later today or tomorrow. <a href="http://www.twitter.com/Darren_Heitner" rel="nofollow">follow @Darren_Heitner on twitter</a><a></a> The boys are doing extremely well. Leatherman will probably start in High A, although nothing has been announced yet. He also did an interview last night that I will put up either later today or tomorrow.

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]]> By: Bobby Rosenberg http://www.sportsagentblog.com/2009/03/24/are-we-really-needed/#comment-122872 Bobby Rosenberg Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:20:42 +0000 http://www.sportsagentblog.com/?p=4720#comment-122872 How are the boys doing this spring? I was watching the Nationals/Braves game yesterday and they were talking about Leatherman. Where do you see him starting the spring. AA or High A? thanks bobby How are the boys doing this spring?
I was watching the Nationals/Braves game yesterday and they were talking about Leatherman. Where do you see him starting the spring. AA or High A?

thanks
bobby

]]> By: Frank Johnson http://www.sportsagentblog.com/2009/03/24/are-we-really-needed/#comment-122827 Frank Johnson Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:01:09 +0000 http://www.sportsagentblog.com/?p=4720#comment-122827 Hello Darren, You wrote a very motivational article. Good on ya! I was reading this and was thinking about my clients the whole time. I feel like I am the PR guy, the manager, the big brother, the other parent (DONT smoke pot...even if you think you are with your friends). This can seem overwhelming at times but I have to tell you; I would not feel like I am giving my best to my clients, if I did not take\have an active interest in their whole career. It is hard to feel like a middleman when you are helping someone you care for achieve greatness. My clients dont think of me as a middleman either. I am glad to know you feel the same way. Thanks, Frank <a href="http://www.twitter.com/surferfrank" rel="nofollow">follow @surferfrank on twitter</a><a></a> Hello Darren,

You wrote a very motivational article. Good on ya!
I was reading this and was thinking about my clients the whole time. I feel like I am the PR guy, the manager, the big brother, the other parent (DONT smoke pot…even if you think you are with your friends). This can seem overwhelming at times but I have to tell you; I would not feel like I am giving my best to my clients, if I did not take\have an active interest in their whole career. It is hard to feel like a middleman when you are helping someone you care for achieve greatness. My clients dont think of me as a middleman either.

I am glad to know you feel the same way.

Thanks,
Frank

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]]> By: Joe Stuckel http://www.sportsagentblog.com/2009/03/24/are-we-really-needed/#comment-122736 Joe Stuckel Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:45:50 +0000 http://www.sportsagentblog.com/?p=4720#comment-122736 I think the key for the future is establishing yourself/ your company to provide a unique service that clients are going to need. If you are only providing a service that is easily replaceable by the client themselves, you're done. It will only be a matter of time before they realize it. So, the key is providing a unique service that is needed by the clients. I think the key for the future is establishing yourself/ your company to provide a unique service that clients are going to need.

If you are only providing a service that is easily replaceable by the client themselves, you’re done. It will only be a matter of time before they realize it.

So, the key is providing a unique service that is needed by the clients.

]]> By: Wendell http://www.sportsagentblog.com/2009/03/24/are-we-really-needed/#comment-122728 Wendell Tue, 24 Mar 2009 23:28:47 +0000 http://www.sportsagentblog.com/?p=4720#comment-122728 The salient point here is that so many of the people that we represent haven't had the benefit of education that (I hope) we have. This alone makes the necessity for us relevant. On the other hand, I've had many clients tell me that they make their decison on representation is based on factors that have little or nothing to do with the work we do. So... I'm in agreement with the idea that developing one's own unique brand is what will allow an agent to remain successful. Good post! <a href="http://www.twitter.com/WWR2" rel="nofollow">follow @WWR2 on twitter</a><a></a> The salient point here is that so many of the people that we represent haven’t had the benefit of education that (I hope) we have. This alone makes the necessity for us relevant. On the other hand, I’ve had many clients tell me that they make their decison on representation is based on factors that have little or nothing to do with the work we do. So…
I’m in agreement with the idea that developing one’s own unique brand is what will allow an agent to remain successful.
Good post!

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]]> By: Darren Heitner http://www.sportsagentblog.com/2009/03/24/are-we-really-needed/#comment-122721 Darren Heitner Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:50:18 +0000 http://www.sportsagentblog.com/?p=4720#comment-122721 Jaqay- You bring up some excellent points. Why do actors and musicians have separate managers, PR, etc, while many athletes don't? I think we have a false impression about the landscape. The highest caliber athletes...the Mannings, Bradys, LeBrons, Kobe's...they all have more than just an agent. They have separate PR firms handling their press, managers handling their day-to-day lives, and agents handling their contractual negotiations. But most athletes don't need these separate wings...or at least it's not a smart financial move for them to farm out each chore to a separate entity when "one-stop shops" can handle it all at a cheaper fee. The business is not all that ugly. I just think that some people have become too secure with their positions. Approaching a player or his parents and being able to say you represented ____ and ____, may impress them, but what are you going to do for them in the future? All I am saying is that we need to be progressive and innovative as a profession. <a href="http://www.twitter.com/Darren_Heitner" rel="nofollow">follow @Darren_Heitner on twitter</a><a></a> Jaqay-

You bring up some excellent points. Why do actors and musicians have separate managers, PR, etc, while many athletes don’t? I think we have a false impression about the landscape. The highest caliber athletes…the Mannings, Bradys, LeBrons, Kobe’s…they all have more than just an agent. They have separate PR firms handling their press, managers handling their day-to-day lives, and agents handling their contractual negotiations. But most athletes don’t need these separate wings…or at least it’s not a smart financial move for them to farm out each chore to a separate entity when “one-stop shops” can handle it all at a cheaper fee.

The business is not all that ugly. I just think that some people have become too secure with their positions. Approaching a player or his parents and being able to say you represented ____ and ____, may impress them, but what are you going to do for them in the future? All I am saying is that we need to be progressive and innovative as a profession.

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]]> By: J. Carlyle http://www.sportsagentblog.com/2009/03/24/are-we-really-needed/#comment-122693 J. Carlyle Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:25:25 +0000 http://www.sportsagentblog.com/?p=4720#comment-122693 I agree with much of your post D. I think there will be (nay, needs to be) a split of the sports representation field to more resemble other entertainment areas (e.g. film and music). I think a splitting of the jobs will lead to better reps overall. I do not see why there cannot be a person in charge of sports deals, one for marketing deals, a manager, an attorney, an accountant, etc. Then you would get better talent at each level. Personal business (b-day parties, flights, etc.) could be handled by a closer friend type in a manager role. Agents secure jobs and keep the contacts in front offices or marketing. The attorneys do their jobs and handle contracts and legal matters (while keeping from breaking ethics issues). No different than a big time movie star, singer, etc. I'm a big fan of checks and balances as well as separation of powers, and power consolidated leads to the ugly business we have today. Darren, thoughts? <a href="http://www.twitter.com/mr_carlyle" rel="nofollow">follow @mr_carlyle on twitter</a><a></a> I agree with much of your post D. I think there will be (nay, needs to be) a split of the sports representation field to more resemble other entertainment areas (e.g. film and music). I think a splitting of the jobs will lead to better reps overall. I do not see why there cannot be a person in charge of sports deals, one for marketing deals, a manager, an attorney, an accountant, etc. Then you would get better talent at each level.

Personal business (b-day parties, flights, etc.) could be handled by a closer friend type in a manager role.

Agents secure jobs and keep the contacts in front offices or marketing.

The attorneys do their jobs and handle contracts and legal matters (while keeping from breaking ethics issues).

No different than a big time movie star, singer, etc.

I’m a big fan of checks and balances as well as separation of powers, and power consolidated leads to the ugly business we have today.

Darren, thoughts?

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]]> By: Kayley http://www.sportsagentblog.com/2009/03/24/are-we-really-needed/#comment-122667 Kayley Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:42:13 +0000 http://www.sportsagentblog.com/?p=4720#comment-122667 Great read Darren Great read Darren

]]> By: aGent37 http://www.sportsagentblog.com/2009/03/24/are-we-really-needed/#comment-122661 aGent37 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:08:33 +0000 http://www.sportsagentblog.com/?p=4720#comment-122661 Great commentary as always DH! Great commentary as always DH!

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