Comments on: Book Review: Tanked! The Tank Black Story

By: bevo

bevo — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:41:51 +0000

I read the book based solely on the review from this web site. Thank you. I enjoyed the book for two reasons.

One, the NFLPA under Gene Upshaw was no more than a management union.

Two, the NCAA must bitch slap USC for Reggie Bush and New Era Marketing. This book corroborates New Marketing’s story.

Finally, I am left wondering how much longer we are going to tolerate the environment the NCAA and its members have created and maintained in football and men’s basketball.

When I started my MA in sports marketing, I thought it was the sport that corrupted the institution. When I left college athletics as an administrator I realized it was the institution that corrupted the sport. Players are nothing more than meat. The only question now who is going to buy them and for how much.

Despite the capitalization errors, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to look at college sports from a third but vested side; the agent.

By: Tank Black

Tank Black — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:35:49 +0000

Ralph Cindrich,
You are speaking out of ignorance when you speak about me. You may want to read my book especially if your are gonna make comments regarding my situation. I never took shots at any agents in my book because I know the agent business is a difficult, cut throat type business. My normal meeting with a player and his family would last at least 5 hours.You make the comment that during my time you ranked higher than I ever dreamed of. Let’s look at the numbers. You started your business in 1977 and you have represented players for over 39 years to date. On your website you claim that you represented 27 Pro Bowlers and 20 first round picks. I started my business in 1988 with Sterling Sharpe. I went 11 years to 1999. In only 11 years I represented 28 Pro Bowlers and 23 first round picks. In less than 1/3 of the time I have represented more Pro Bowlers and more first round picks than you and this doesn’t count two NBA All-Stars and two NBA first rounders. I also represented over 150 players in those 11 years. You know the hard work and professionalism that goes into this kind of success. You of all people know that a player who is going to make millions will not go with an agent because the gets some money from an agent. Please read the book if you want to know what really happen.

By: JaQay Carlyle

JaQay Carlyle — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:20:16 +0000

four letters – A R P A

With teeth it legitimizes the business. Instead of 250k contributions to AAU programs.

By: Darren Heitner

Darren Heitner — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:32:24 +0000

I was hoping to receive a response like this. I agree that the rules promulgated by the NFLPA, other players associations’, AND statutory regulations like SPARTA and states that have adopted the UAAA need to be modified. You said it perfectly, “They make cheaters of the honest people in the business.” How can we really expect all agents to register in each and every state they recruit in? Sure, the CAAs and the WMGs can afford it, but not the boutiques. One thing we really need is a national registration system. One time fee, background check, done and done.

By: Ralph Cindrich

Ralph Cindrich — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:21:34 +0000

I was waiting for your review and like it. Thank you. I enjoy the site also but I am not buying the book or reading it. One way to look like an idiot or slimeball on this or any other site is to say I never done this in my life and then have people line up and say otherwise. On the Tank Black statements about agents cheating: Bullshit. There are a number of agents that never operated in the dark—broke rules and laws. I can only confirm one for sure and if anyone disputes it, anywhere, anytime, identify yourself, come forward with facts, and make sure you have enough money for me to make it worth my time. And during his time I ranked higher than he ever dreamed: over 30 Pro Bowlers, several guys in the top 10 of the draft, Sporting News 100 Most Powerful in Sports. It is the wrong message. You just don’t have to do it that way although now with the NFLPA rules on contact to Juniors and contractual interference, you cannot be competitive if you follow them. I am for leading a movement to get them off the books.They make cheaters of the honest people in the business. Keep up the good work on this informative site.