But what about the agents representing these athletes? While any agent would be foolish to profess to have the freakish physical abilities that athletes have, unless of course they used to play the game, agents can offer some pretty interesting insight on the behind the scenes of  the business of sports.

Here is, (from what I’ve seen), the first list of the top 10 sports agents to follow on Twitter. Because of the ever changing nature of Twitter, it should be noted that the statistics mentioned below were taken on December 6^th, 2011 at 9:00 AM. The list was compiled by taking in account a number of factors including but not limited to: 1) number of tweets, 2) diversity in tweeting content, and 3) professional experience. This list provides a nice cross section of different areas of the agent business; with agents representing Olympians, coaches, athletes from all the major sports, and broadcast analysts.

1. @PMGsportsevan

The stats:  7,505  Tweets / 1, 891 Followers / 488 Following / 69 Listed

Evan Morgenstein is the President and CEO of PMG Sports, a company that represents many Olympians. Want a good chance at interaction with an agent? Morgenstein is the king at responding to @ tweets. Morgenstein is also known for frequently tweeting about his lack of sleep. Two things are clear however; Morgenstein has mastered the ins and outs of twitter and he really enjoys his day job. Since Morgenstein responds to so many followers, his commentary on the agent business can get lost in the shuffle, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing since it’s rare to find someone who interacts so much with his followers.

2. @DarrenHeitner

The stats: 11,013 Tweets / 5, 238 Followers / 405 Following / 250 Listed

Darren Heitner started his own representation firm, Dynasty Athlete Representation, and authors this site, SportsAgentBlog.com. With a JD from the University of Florida, Heitner mixes in legal analysis with his tweets about the agency business, creating a unique Twitter account that is a must follow for anyone looking to get into the agency business or interested in a career in “sports law.”

3. @Walsha

The stats: 5,656 Tweets / 14,966 Followers / 445 Following / 950 Listed

Allen Walsh is an agent at Octagon Athlete Representation. Walsh has been certified by the NHLPA since 1996 and is a licensed lawyer in the state of California. For a hockey agent, Walsh has quite the follower base. Octagon has 102 NHL clients, so follow Walsh for an agent’s perspective on the NHL and all things hockey.

4. @RosenhausSports

The stats: 1,719 Tweets / 113,380 Followers / 278 Following / 2,764 Listed

When it comes to sports agents, Rosenhaus is the king. With 150 clients, television, book and movie appearances, Rosenhaus has mastered the art of being in the spotlight and promoting his agency. Rosenhaus doesn’t tweet too frequently, although one would assume with a client base as big and as high profile as his, there wouldn’t be a lot of room for the Twittersphere on his plate. In any event, more tweets from Rosenhaus, who surely has plenty of career advice/stories to share would be welcome. Come on Drew!

5. @JasonBelzer

The stats: 2,800 Tweets / 1,258 Followers / 110 Following / 60 Listed

Belzer is the President at Global Athlete Management Enterprises. Belzer has his law degree, but more importantly, he provides a rare take on the world of coaching representation. Belzer’s agency exclusively represents coaches. While definitely not “new” to the agency scene, Belzer is an up and comer. Check Belzer’s Twitter for updates about a venture he just co-launched with Darren Heitner called Collegiate Sports Advisors (CSA).

6. @RalphCindrich

The stats:  12,102 Tweets / 4,358 Followers / 63 Following / 194 Listed

There is no replacement for experience and Cindrich has 25 years of it representing NFL athletes. His first big name client? Current ESPN analyst Mark May. Cindrich tweets a lot, and for good measure. Some of the best back and forth banter occurs between him and Sports Business Journal’s Liz Mullen.

7. @DavidCanter

The stats: 13,402 Tweets / 4,029 Followers / 617 Following / 154 Listed

Canter’s company DEC management, has a nice size group of clients (San Diego Chargers safety Eric Weddle being one of the more notable). But seriously, is there anyone who tweets more than Canter? The frequent tweets are great, and they range from sports, agency, comedy and where Canter is eating.

8. @SteinbergSports

The stats: 1,529 Tweets / 8,022 Followers / 2,296 Following / 334 Listed

There are very few in the business with the Twitter potential of Steinberg. With over 35 years of athlete representation experience, the Steinberg name carries great weight in the sports agent business. In light of that, the Steinberg Twitter handle has no interaction with followers. Since Steinberg is such a big name, the lack of interaction with followers simply does not matter. Steinberg links pretty frequently to his blog, which provides good supplemental information.

9. @GoodwinSports

The stats: 1,447 Tweets / 3,627 Followers / 680 Following / 156 Listed

Based in Seattle, Goodwin Sports is one of the few “firm Twitter accounts” to make the cut. Goodwin has some fantastic clients, but not too many tweets. Most of the tweets are client related. There is barely any interaction with followers, and mostly posts linking to articles or videos.

10. @EugeneTLee

The stats: 352 Tweets / 555 Followers / 66 Following / 9 Listed

One of the more fascinating people on this list simply because of the lack of tweets! Eugene T Lee had the distinction of being featured on the much talked about ESPN Film “The Dotted Line.” However, Lee has not tweeted much since the show premiere, seemingly missing an opportunity to capitalize on the momentum in the Twittersphere. Based on what viewers saw in the ESPN film, Lee has a lot of great insight and experience to offer. It would be nice to see some more regular tweets from him. Lee comes off as a real genuine personality in the film, and he should let it shine through more on Twitter.

Matthew Weinberger is a sports business enthusiast who is passionate about the intersection between the law and the sports business industry. He regularly writes on timely topics relating to sports business, law, entertainment, media, and technology. Follow him @MattWeinberger

Top 10 Sports Agents to Follow on Twitter from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

“By some combination of mendacity and greed, the agents who are looking out for themselves rather than their clients are trying to scuttle the deal.  They’re engaged in what appears to be an orchestrated Twitter campaign and a series of interviews that are designed to deny the economic realities of the proposal.” – NBA Commisioner David Stern on 11/12/2011

I must have the wrong agents listed on The Master Twitter list of sports agents/agencies, because I have missed any semblance of a “Twitter campaign” led by agents who hope to quash a potential deal to end the labor battle between the NBA and the NBPA.  In fact, most agents that I talk to are eagerly anticipating the day that a new collective bargaining agreement will be struck, albeit with terms more favorable to the agents’ client.

Are agents looking out for themselves?  You better believe it.  But they are also looking out for their clients.  While money is not the be-all and end-all for every player, many of them are genuinely interested in keeping the various exceptions to the salary cap, increasing minimum salary, etc.  Agents certainly fear an environment where there is little room for contract negotiations, because that takes away their ability to legitimize a full 4% commission on individual contracts.  However, players should also be concerned about implementing any new restrictions on negotiating their salaries.

Stern is right about one thing, though.  Decertification is a losing strategy.  But it is not a losing strategy for the players.  It is a losing strategy for the entire NBA, which includes all owners and players.  Decertification will likely end the hope of any kind of 2011-12 NBA season, force the NBA and NBPA to spend a large amount of money to their respective lawyers, and kill whatever goodwill the league earned in a fantastic 2010-11 NBA slate of games.

Basketball Agents Are Greedy Twitter Campaigners from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

I have been a staunch opponent of suppressing athletes’ ability to communicate on social media platforms (including Facebook and Twitter), but I am certainly a proponent of properly educating those athletes regarding the best practices of using those networks.  Athletes need to understand that the platforms make it relatively easy to post text updates, pictures, and videos, but also just as easy for others to instantly be able to access that content.  The hard part is damage control.  Once the content is made available, it is tough to take down.  The content spreads like wildfire.

I was recently forwarded a webpage created by Twitter titled, Twitter for Athletes.  At first, I was surprised that Twitter took the time to create a page dedicated to informing athletes about best practices for using the service.  But the real shock was seeing just how much effort was put forth by the Twitter team to come up with a guide that is actually worthy for all athletes and their agents to view.

In the guide, Twitter covers the proper usage of hashtags, the value of responding to follows and asking questions, and engagement with teammates.  Most importantly, it explains that Twitter can be used by athletes for breaking news and that “a Tweet can be more powerful and personal than a press release.”  The power of a Tweet can be a great thing for an athlete, but also terribly disastrous if written without thinking.

See also: Forcing social media silence not the answer for colleges [SportsBusiness Journal]

Twitter Creates A Guide For Athletes from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

The internet is littered with stories of university coaches banning their players from tweeting.  Most recently, South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier joined the ranks of the tweeting ban.  Spurrier said, “Well, we have some dumb, immature players that put crap on their Twitter, and we don’t need that.  So the best thing to do is just ban it.”  Really?  As I tweeted on Thursday, banning Twitter works as well as teaching abstinence.  A parent may be able to control her child’s actions while the child is still under her close watch, however as soon as this child gets the opportunity, chances are that the individual will subdue to her hormones.  Suddenly, your child is Bristol Palin.

Now, I am not saying that every collegiate athlete who is banned from Twitter is going to go pro and ruin his/her career the first time he/she tweets, but I am saying (just as public schools across the nation have learned and implemented through sex ed) that education on the dangers of participating in such an activity, on preventative measures, on protecting yourself and those around you, will prove more beneficial then simply teaching “Don’t do it.”

The ban on Twitter is an attempt to not address the problem – to not educate and develop their team.  Because, after all, that takes time and money, and what university has either of those?  The truth of the matter is coaches (and/or athletic departments) should have their athletes’ education as their number one priority.  They are “student-athletes,” with the “emphasis” being on student first, right?

Gregg Doyel wrote an article today for CBSSports.com titled, “Coaches’ Twitter ban isn’t stunting players, it’s protecting them.”  He suggests that “In the wrong hands, twitter is a dangerous thing.  And a college athlete’s hands are awful.”  Doyel points to such examples as a tweet posted last year by North Carolina defensive lineman Marvin Austin. Austin tweeted pictures of him enjoying a lavish vacation in South Beach, which may have catapulted the investigation (as well as the firing of Butch Davis) into the program.  Doyel concedes that “Twitter isn’t to blame for the offenses — but Twitter got North Carolina busted.”

Again, we see a huge discrepancy in the education of collegiate athletes.  Doyel’s point emphasizes what the NCAA has seemingly accepted, dare I say encouraged, what I will dub the “Jim Tressel.”  If you are doing something wrong/illegal/against the NCAA, Jim Tressel it immediately.  Do not own up to your improprieties, do not learn from them, and definitely do not figure out how to avoid the negative situation again.  Just cover it up and lie.  The problem with Twitter, is that once you have tweeted a picture, well, let’s just say it’s going to take more work then a “My Twitter got hacked” story to cover up your actions.

The real reason coaches are banning Twitter is not for the “player’s protection,” but rather to protect the program.  As Dan Patrick stated while reporting the Spurrier story, “Will it help us [win]? … No.  Can it hurt us?  Yes.”  Listen, I understand and value the need to protect the program as a whole.  Furthermore, I GET that the actions of just ONE player can irreparably damage an athletic program.  However, I do not believe that the best way to protect the player and to protect the program is to strip the players of their ability to tweet.  (Note: I am not even going to address the notion that players may choose to attend a university based on whether or not they are able to tweet because I do not believe that issue is even close to the core problem with the ban.)

Gregg Doyel continues in his agreement with a coach banning Twitter saying, “A couch isn’t limiting his players’ personal growth… Players have plenty of chances to grow as people in college.  Classes, interview sessions.  Public appearances.”  Oh, but not through Twitter.  So you’re allowing your players to do some things (those which you can control), but not others.  In a world where proper Twitter usage is almost as valuable as tackling techniques for a professional football player, I am having a hard time understanding how the ban is not the definition of “limiting.”

Last, the NCAA has stripped nearly every promotional right of the collegiate athlete.  These players work endless hours to perform at their highest ability in order to bring their team a victory.  They have no rights to their name, likeness, number, or anything that they do during their college career.  They are unable to even be taken out to dinner by an agent who wants to inform them of their future career options.

I will not equate these athletes to slaves (as a recent South Park episode did) because I do believe in the value of a free education.  However, the system is nothing short of flawed.  These players bring in billions of dollars annually to the universities that they play for.  These universities stress the fact that these players are “student-athletes,” and emphasize the “value” of the education that their athletes are receiving.  The truth of the matter is that what is a valuable education for me (an aspiring attorney) is drastically different from that of Matt Barkely (an aspiring NFL quarterback).

Universities need to enact programs centered on their athletes.  If you are going to stress the importance of education, then realize what kind of education would truly benefit your players.  Athletic departments need to create programs that are specifically directed at the student-athlete.  Teach them the proper way of dealing with the media.  Warn your players of the detrimental effects of posting false, negative, or simply unnecessary information to the internet.  There are social media professionals who teach these skills as a career.  Find these people.  Hire them.  Spend money on your athletes who bring in billions of dollars for your university.  Equip them with the tools they need to succeed professionally.  After all, isn’t that the purpose of the collegiate institution?

Twitter Education: The Responsibility of a University to Prepare its Athletes from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Football

• The New England Patriots follow draft prospects on Twitter as part of the scouting process [Quick-hit thoughts around NFL & Pats].
• Particular focus on item 7. Will the players stay unified during the lockout? [Ruling in favor of NFL, lockout extension set up key June decision]
• The Houston Texans have more players on Twitter than any other team [Twitter sense for NFL players].

Baseball

• The Rays have 12 of the first 89 picks in the 2011 Draft and 10 of the first 60 [Rays readying to make most of Draft bounty].
• Agents have a vested interest to fight implementation of a slotting system [Sides dig in for battle over slotting in draft].
• Boras says that Eric Hosmer will have his own market [Boras shoots down idea of Royals locking up Hosmer].

Basketball

• Eric Goodwin makes sure to mention his previous work with LeBron and Dwight [Kevin Durant's Marketability On The Rise].

Sports Business

• PAFI stands for the Professional Athlete Franchise Initiative [Sports agents team with PAFI to prepare clients for career transition].

Shabbat Shalom: Friday Wrap-Up (5/20/2011) from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Very sad to read Sean Avery's misguided support of same-gender "marriage". Legal or not, it will always be wrong.

May 9, 2011 3:38 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@uptownhockey

Uptown Sports

To clarify. This is not hatred or bigotry towards gays. It is not intolerance in any way shape or form. I believe we are all equal...

May 9, 2011 5:22 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@uptownhockey

Uptown Sports

But I believe in the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman. This is my personal viewpoint. I Do not hate anyone.

May 9, 2011 5:26 pm via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@uptownhockey

Uptown Sports

Usually we cover athletes using social media for wrong reasons.  This time it is an agency Tweeting without care about how those Tweets will affect its brand.  Realize that Reynolds’ Tweets do not only affect his reputation, but that of his company and his clients.  Others may be less inclined to work with a company that Tweets such statements.  Competitors of Uptown Sports may use such Tweets against the agency in future recruiting battles.

Reynolds’ Tweets were made in response to the following video:

Todd Reynolds Will Not Be Representing Any Homosexual Hockey Players from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

With the 94th pick in the draft, the #Jets select druggie Kenrick Ellis, a NT from Hampton.

April 29, 2011 9:10 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@RichCimini

Rich Cimini

This set Shatsky off on a Tweeting spree, where he attacked Cimini for that particular Tweet.  In response, John Phillips of Breakthrough Sports Advisors, Tweeted,

@RichCimini keep doing what you do. If agent is that thin skinned, should stick to selling glass or collecting paperweights- @GalleryofGlass

May 1, 2011 10:34 am via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite

@mybtsa

John M. Phillips

And then Shatsky’s replies:

@mybtsa Hey clown, how many NFL players have you represented in your career?

May 1, 2011 4:17 pm via Twitter for AndroidReplyRetweetFavorite

@ProFootballMgmt

Howard Shatsky

@mybtsa Since ur an agent, maybe you should worry about your own clients, oh snap I forgot you don't have any!

May 1, 2011 4:20 pm via Twitter for AndroidReplyRetweetFavorite

@ProFootballMgmt

Howard Shatsky

If you are not yet on Twitter, are you now ready to join and follow the Master List of Sports Agents?

Twitter Fight: Howard Shatsky vs. John Phillips from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Throughout the week and weekend, the three aforementioned contributors will be interviewing guests and hosts of the events, taking pictures and videos, and Tweeting content from @SportsAgentBlog.  Be sure to follow all the action on the Sports Agent Blog Twitter page and keep checking the website for updates.

Last night, the crew attended The Gala hosted by Tony and Janet Dorsett on behalf of The Ron Springs and Everson Walls Gift For Life Foundation at The Fashion Industry Gallery.  Guests included Tony and Janet Dorsett, The Black Eyed Peas, Staff of Jerry Mcguire, Leigh Steinberg, Alicia Landry (wife of Tom Landry), Earl Campbelle, Roger Staubach, Tim Brown, Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens, and Drew Rosenhaus.

Our contributors were able to interview Everson Walls and Leigh Steinberg on video camera.  Note that it is tough to make out all of their words, due to the loud surrounding noise, so be sure to turn your volume up before playing them.  Walls talks about the event they are at and Steinberg plugs his event, which we will be attending this week as well.  At the end of his video, Steinberg throws in his advice to people interested in representing athletes.  Many thanks to Walls and Steinberg for the SAB shout-outs at the end.

Follow Sports Agent Blog Live In Dallas, Texas from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Prior to engaging the audience at Oregon, Luchs spoke to Rachel Bachman at The Oregonian.  Give it a read.  The JaMarcus Russell bit is interesting.  And here is one of the exchanges:

Q: Is the NCAA in the best position to do something — better than schools themselves, prosecutors or the NFL Players Association?

A: The NCAA doesn’t have subpoena power. It’s the NFL Players Association’s job and responsibility to enforce their own regulations and the NCAA regulations as incorporated into the NFL Players Association regs. And they do a very poor job. They don’t initiate anything. They’re not proactive. They selectively enforce.

We are at a crossroads now more than ever, if people want this problem to change. Because we’ve got a collective bargaining agreement (expiring in March) that’s got to get done. Even though the NFLPA may not care what the NCAA wants, what makes them care is the NFL.

And the NFL cares about the NCAA because that’s their minor-league system, for all intents and purposes. So if the NCAA says, ‘Hey guys, we’re not going to let your scouts on the field. We’re not going to share game film. We’re not going to make our players available, we’re not going to give you our fields and our tracks to do pro-day workouts ….’

(Or), ‘We’ll let you do it, but make sure those guys over there control their agents and keep them away.’

Former Sports Agent Josh Luchs Speaks, Tweets from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

1. An ability to insert relevant promotional ads and links at the foot of text messages written by sports stars.  Many of these ads will be for the athlete’s own merchandise.  For the sports marketing world, the ad system blocks ads that conflict with an athlete’s existing endorsements or the sales guidelines of leagues and players unions.
2. A new payment structure.
   1. Real Merchandise (off-field apparel and headwear): 72% of Net Profits to the players and 2% to their favorite charities or foundations.  MogoTXT will also pay an additional 6% to the athlete’s union or to other charities.
   2. Virtual Goods and Social Games: 50% of Net Profits (to be allocated between Athlete and his Union) and 2% to their favorite charities or foundations.
   3. Mobile Advertising: 20% of Adjusted Gross Revenues, 2% to their favorite charities or foundations, and 3$ to athlete’s union or other charities.
3. Free, professional graphic design services and e-commerce stores for athletes and celebrities on MogoTXT, on Facebook and on the athletes’ own websites to enable athletes to market attractive high-quality merchandise to their fans without any upfront costs, financial risks or hassles.

It seems like quite a few big name athletes have signed up for the MogoTXT service.  As long as it is something that an athlete and/or his team of advisors are getting behind, it could be a good option to promote one’s personal brand, entertain his fans, and earn some additional off field/court revenue.

MogoTXT Increases Services Offered To Athletes from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules