Football

• McNabb isn’t firing his agent anytime soon based on his comments to the Shanahans [Donovan McNabb defends agent].
• He got an apple pie with the Giants logo on the crust! [New York Giants TE Kevin Boss shares Christmas with agent Shawn Smith, a Kaukauna native]

Basketball

• Lon Babby had represented Hedo Turkoglu since he was drafted into the NBA in 2000 [Babby Trades Away Client in First Suns Deal].
• Duffy says he is behind 75% of the activity that happens to his clients leading up to the February trade deadline [Bill Duffy Q + A].

Baseball

• And he is very close to breaking the record for the longest NCAA hitting streak [FIU baseball star Garrett Wittels charged in rape of two girls in Bahamas].
• Bookmark this bad boy [Arbitration Submissions — 2011].

Sports Law

• An NCAA panel two years ago recommended stricter punishments for serious rules violators [NCAA panel recommended TV bans].
• A potentially more serious loophole than the one involving Cam Newton? [Taylor Martinez’ Dad Has Licensing Agreement With Nebraska. Could Parents’ Businesses Be a Plausible Loophole for Illicit Payment?]

Shabbat Shalom/Happy New Year: Friday Wrap-Up (12/31/2010) from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Basketball

• Not in the article, but apparently Marbury did not have a signed contract with his former CBA team [Ex-NBA player Marbury switches teams in China].
• Looking forward to seeing what becomes of Sportsality [Keyon Dooling Talks Business].
• 6’3 at 11-years-old, but it still doesn’t feel right [Baylor Offers a Scholarship to 8th-Grader Adrian Moore].

Baseball

• A minor-league posting system for non-protected players [Something to think about from Scott Boras].
• Keith Law defends Scott Boras’ loans to Edward Salcedo [Boras playing by baseball's rules].
• A few statements from agents Barry Axelrod and Barry Meister [Baseball Asks Union for Explanation on Loans by Boras].

Football

• Terry Watson called an anonymous General Manager a coward [Agent speaks out regarding crticism of Cortland Finnegan].

Hockey

• A prospective Buffalo Sabres owner is the co-owner of a sports agency [Terry Pegula's WNY Sports Connection].

Shabbat Shalom: Friday Wrap-Up (12/2/2010) from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Here is a summary of what transpired:

• Falk believes that LeBron took a quick hit on his brand equity.  After watching LeBron’s new Nike spot, I have to think that his brand is already in the rebuilding stage.
• Falk doesn’t think that a basketball player should announce something before it actually happens.  He calls it “a little too modern, a little too social media.”  He would have preferred that LeBron signed with Miami and then had his big press conference about his decision.
• On Worldwide Wes: “early on in his career had a lot more influence than people gave him credit for and now probably doesn’t have as much influence as people give him credit for.”
• Falk really does not like the limitations placed on max contracts.  He thinks it limits what the best players deserve and allows much less talented players to earn more than they are worth.
• Falk does not seem to be a big fan of Isiah Thomas or the fact that the current union is not involving agents much in collective bargaining negotiations.
• Falk’s client Evan Turner is the highest draft pick to ever sign with a Chinese shoe company.
• Falk’s first big shoe deal was with New Balance for James Worthy back in 1982.
• Falk thinks players should stay in school longer.
• He has no desire to grow a big agency, and calls his operation an “ultra-boutique.”

David Falk’s Interview With SLAM Magazine from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Basketball

• 5 games in 3 continents, and a total of 40 sponsors. NBA office in India opening soon [NBA Int'l Games Reach New Levels With Record Number Of Sponsors].
• Casey Jacobson with a great look into the world of AAU basketball [(Too Much?) Power to Influence].
• Trading gym bags for backpacks [N.B.A. Players Make Their Way Back to College].
• The Chinese REALLY love them some Kobe Bryant [Kobe Bryant’s jersey still top seller in China; D Wade's moves up to fifth].

Baseball

• “This is the business we chose.” [Last Week].
• Dennis Gilbert’s chances at becoming a part owner of the Rangers may be increased due to his access to liquid cash [Notes from a press conference: Wrapping up the Texas Rangers 2009 wrap-up get together].

Entertainment

• Did you know that Arn Tellem (President at WMG), has a pretty powerful wife who works at CBS? [CBS' Nancy Tellem is in talks to step down from post].

Sports Agents

• SMWW may want to do a better job on its background checks in the future [ONLY IN AMERICA: From Corrupt SEIU Boss to Sports Agent].

Football

• Adrian Peterson’s next contract is going to shatter Larry Johnson’s current deal.  Poor Pierre Thomas…for now. [Under the Cap: Top Ten Running Backs].

Shabbat Shalom: Friday Wrap-Up (10/9/09) from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Golf

• Giles used to represent Davis Love III and Tom Kite [Vinny Giles, 66, wins Senior Amateur at Beverly Country Club].

Football

• Andre Smith’s “Superman” clauses remind many of the contract Leland Hardy negotiated for Ricky Williams [Smith’s contract reminiscent of Williams’ pact].
• Fans may want their teams to lose in the first round of next year’s playoffs [What Free Agency Will Look Like in an Uncapped Year: The Final Eight Plan].

Baseball

• On drugs, document fraud, and skimming/kickbacks – fantastic piece [Dominican baseball prospects frequently play fast and loose with the rules].
• Pay closest attention to Rick Johnson’s words [NCAA cracks down on baseball advisers].

Networking

• Unfiltered messages from high profile athletes has its potential consequences [Social Media and the NBA].

Shabbat Shalom: Friday Wrap-Up (9/25/09) from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Michael Tillery: Hypothetically, I’m 19-22, entering your office and looking to retain your services. What are you going to get across so I know I’m doing the right thing by signing with B.J. Armstrong?

BJ Armstrong: I’m here to listen to what you have to say. I’m not here to tell you about what I did or what it’s going to take to be a pro, I’m here to listen to what it is you want to do. I’ve done my thing. I’ve seen the so called best player in Michael Jordan. I give you no illusions to what this is really all about. There is no fantasy of “Come with me, I’m going to get you drafted” or “Come with me I’m going to do this or that.” My work starts when it gets rough. When you are up by twenty, everybody looks good. My game starts when a kid gets hurt or in a crisis type situation. That’s what I do. I’m not here to sell you a bag of goods. Telling you look how many players we’ve gotten drafted. People that get drafted in lotteries, that’s a blessing. I’m here to ask you what is it you want to do. Let’s get organized and execute the plan. If you don’t want to execute, then I’m not the person to deal with. I’m not much of a talker about selling points of what I can do for you. We know what we can do. We are going to work hard at it. It’s about attracting people with that same mentality. They are going to work hard and maximize their talents at this particular time in their life. I want people who want to be the best at what they do. I don’t want anyone telling me something illogical. I want people to give me information that is prevalent with logic and people that will work hard. We are going to stick by our clients 1000% no matter if they are the first pick in the draft or someone undrafted. It’s about integrity and excellence. We are going to do both. I get to the core of things. This is a very simple operation. We are going to go at it and we are going hard after it.

From Batman’s Robin To Full Fledged Sports Agent from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules