What:

When: March 25-26, 2011

Where: Washington Nationals Park, Washington D.C.

Friday, March 25 – Day One

9:00am -9:50           Keynote Presentation

10:00-10:45             Industry Trends and Outlook for 2011 in Sports

11:00-11:45             Sports 2.0: How Sports is recovering from the Global Economic Crisis

11:45-1:15               Interactive Breakout Lunch Exploration

1:30-2:15                 Keynote Presentation:

2:30-3:15                 The Changing Role of Media in Sports

3:30-4:15                 Sports Social Responsibility

3:30-4:15                 Pro and College Sports

4:30-5:15                 Closing the Deal: Interactive Negotiation Session

4:30-5:15                 Young Executives Panel

5:15-5:45                 Best Practices for Getting Hired

5:45pm                    Kickoff Reception : Sponsored by Georgetown University Sports Industry Management Masters Program and Washington Sports Business Professionals (WSBP)

Saturday, March 26 – Day Two

9:30am-10:15          Presentation – Presidents Council on Fitness, Sports and Health (PCFSH)

10:30 -11:30            Keynote Address:

11:55 -12:45            Speed-Networking Lunch: Interactive Breakout Sessions

1:00- 1:45                Communications and Public Relations in Sports

1:00-1:45                 Business & Finance in Sports

2:00-2:30                 Strategic Marketing in Sports

2:00pm-2:30           Law, Contracts, Negotiations and Representation in Sports

2:45pm-3:15           Sponsorship, Revenue Development and Ticketing

2:45 -3:15                Facilities Operations and Events Development in Sports

3:30-4:00                 Digital Media, Consumer Engagement and Mobile in Sports

3:30 -4:00                Economics, Analytics and Brand Management in Sports

4:15 -4:45                The SEME Experience: Building Your Personal Brand

4:55 -5:30                Resume & Personal Brand Critique

Confirmed Speakers

Alan Gromest – Washington Nationals (MLB), Human Resources
Allen Hermeling – RedPeg Inc., Vice President, Business Development
Andrea Cernich – President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition; Director of Strategic Partnerships
Andy Zipfel – USA Today, Senior Director, Sports Marketing and Development
Barry Ford – USTA, Director, Outreach & Advocacy
Billy Stone – CBS Sports, Executive Producer
Bobby Goldwater – The Goldwater Group, Principal
Britton Miller – Washington Nationals (MLB), Manager, Marketing Projects
Buffy Filippell – Teamwork Online, Founder/President
Chartese Burnett – Maroon PR, Director, Non-Profit Public Relations
Chris Gargani – Washington Nationals, VP, Managing Director, Sales and Marketing
Chris McGrath – CPA
Dan O’Neil – Georgetown University, Associate Athletic Director External Affair
Dave Schawb – Octagon, Vice President, Managing Director – First Call
David Eyl – Sportstoday, VP, Business Development
David Francis – USOC, Coordinator, Division of Legal & Government Affairs
Dawn Ridley – Ridley & Associates, President
Ellie Cox – Athletes for Hope, Director
Erin O’Boyle – NFL Players Association, Programs Manager
Felice Jones – NFLPA, AVP, Event Marketing
Gary Powers – Under Armour, Regional Manager
George Perry – GP4 Consulting, President
Greg Bibb – COO, Washington Mystics/ Executive Vice President of Business Operations, Washington Wizards
Ira Frankel – Blackboard, Senior Manager, Marketing Operations
Israel Negron – Washington Nationals, Director of Community Relations
Jamie O’Connor – DC United, Former VP, Marketing
Jeffrey Fried – NCAA Military Bowl by Northrop Grumman, Chairman
Jim DeLorenzo – Octagon Digital, Vice President
Jim Welch – USA Today, Deputy Managing Editor, Sports
Jimmy Lynn – Jlynn Associates, Principal
Joe Favorito – Sports and Entertainment Consultant
John Bonacci – Under Armour, Strategic Sales Coordinator
John Ralston – Team Services LLC, Manager, Sales
Jon Achar – ESPN, Vice President
Kaitlin Jacobi – Team Services LLC, Coordinator, Consulting
Karen Irish – U.S. Olympic Committee, Manager, Government Relations
Kelty Carpenter – ESPN, Programming & Acquisitions
Kevin Payne – D.C. United, President
Kevin Wright – Under Armour, Recruiting Assistant
Kurt Kehl – Washington Capitals (NHL), Vice President, Communications
Kyle Ragsdale – SB Nation, VP, Business Affairs & Finance
Lara Potter – Washington Nationals, Vice President, Communications
LaRhonda Lombardi – Washington Wizards & Mystics, Manager of Programs & Administration
Marty Conway – AOL, Former Director, Strategic Partnerships
Meredith Geisler – Meredith Communications, Owner
Nicola Murphy – Octagon, Athlete Marketing
Rich Daniel – DC Divas Women’s Professional Football, Executive
Rod Nenner – Washington Redskins, Senior Vice President, Marketing
Scott Horner – Octagon, Director of Communications, Athlete and Property Marketing
Scott Lewis – Washington Nationals, Manager, Consumer Marketing
Shana Gritsavage – Under Armour, Senior Manager, Corporate Giving & Events
Steve Beck – Military Bowl, Executive Director
Steve Lieberman – Comcast SportsNet, General Sales Manager
Ted Towne – Washington Nationals, Controller
Terry Hasseltine – Director, Maryland office of Sports Marketing
Tom George – Octagon, Senior Vice President of Athlete and Property Marketing
Zack Bolno – Washington Redskins/Wizards, Former Media Relations Director

Cost: $225 per person, $195 per person if group of 5+, $175 per person if group 10+, $125 per person if group 20+. Register here.

8th Annual Sports Events Marketing Experience (SEME 2011) from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

When: March 4-5, 2011

Where: The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. (map)

Agenda

Friday, March 4, 2011

9:00am – 9:30am Keynote: Gary Stevenson

9:30am – 10:20am: ProServ Founders
Ray Benton, CEO, Junior Tennis Champions Center
Frank Craighill, Chairman and CEO, Atlis Marketing LLC
Donald Dell, Group President, Lagardere Unlimited

10:20am – 11:00am: ProServ Employees (Pre-1983)

11:15am – 12:00pm: Two Sides Of The House

George McPhee, General Manager, Washington Capitals
Kevin Payne, President, DC United

12:00pm: Proceed To E Street Building For Lunch Sessions

12:15pm – 2:30pm: Networking Lunch

Lunch Session #1
12:15pm – 1:20pm: Sports Law Panel
1:25pm – 2:30pm: Networking Lunch

Lunch Session #2
12:15pm – 1:20pm: Networking Lunch
1:25pm – 2:30pm: Sports Marketing & Media Panel

2:30pm: Proceed To MPA Building For Afternoon Sessions

2:45pm – 3:30pm:  Social Media and Innovations

3:40pm – 4:20pm: Sport Business Negotiations

4:25pm – 5:15pm: Sponsorship, Sales, Service and Evaluation

5:15pm – 5:45pm: Human Resource Directors

5:45pm: Proceed To City View Room For Reception

6:00-8:00pm: Friday Evening Networking Reception sponsored by The Sport And Recreation Management Program At Temple University

Saturday, March 5, 2011

9:15am – 10:00am: Athlete Foundations, Marketing and Management

10:05am – 10:45am: Keynote: Michael Robichaud, MasterCard Worldwide

10:55am – 11:45am: Target Marketing

11:45pm: Proceed To Nationals Park (Home of Washington Nationals)

12:15am – 1:45pm: Networking Lunch

1:55pm – 2:35pm: Keynote Presentation: Washington Nationals Executive

2:45pm – 3:25pm: Let’s Move: Selling Physical Fitness and Sport Products

3:40pm – 4:20pm: Trends in Sports Events & Facility Management

4:20pm: SINC Conference Wrap-Up

Cost: Individual rate is $230.  There are discounts for group purchases.  Register here.

Sports Industry Networking and Career Conference from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Football

• 6% of players suffered at least 1 concussion in 2010 [NFLPA Injury Report Finds Increases During 2010 Season].
• All about Steinberg Party XXV [Steinberg still host with most].
• A lot of praise for Bob LaMonte [Vikings coach Leslie Frazier, agent Bob LaMonte make a good team].
• The perfect majority owner of a future LA franchise? [The grooming of Casey Wasserman]

Baseball

• Nello Gamberdino’s representation of Canseco is no joke [Why One Baseball Agent Is Taking A Chance On 46-Year-Old Client Jose Canseco].
• Boras throws out the acquisition cost argument [Scott Boras Explains Jayson Werth's 7-Year/$126 Million Dollar Deal With The Washington Nationals].

Sports Law

• Fill out your own and get it framed [2011-12 National Letter of Intent].

Action Sports

• This article makes it seem like there is no lack of  endorsement opportunities involving mainstream brands for those at the top [At X Games, Battle for Sponsors Is Also Fierce].

Shabbat Shalom: Friday Wrap-Up (2/4/2011) from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Football

• College football assistants making $250,000 or more is up from at least 106 last year to 132 this season [Assistant coaches' salaries continue rise].
• Going with what he uses instead of the “natural fit” – Gatorade [Tebow, The Ultimate Gator, Signs With … FRS?].
• Roughly 140-150 players ask for an evaluation each year [Inside the NFL College Advisory Committee].
• Questioning the punishment handed to Pryor, et al. [Ohio State mess fuels notion NCAA is making up rules as it goes along].
• Anyone have information on Martin Blazer? [UNC releases names of those who provided benefits to players].

Baseball

• No doubt he made an informed decision [The union doesn’t have a problem with Cliff Lee’s deal].
• Scott Boras and the Washington Nationals seem to get along quite well [Symbiotic relationship].

Basketball

• Dave Telep takes aim at agents [High school sports haunted by pay-play scandals].

What makes the NFL championship game more fun than anything else is the huge range of Super Bowl prop bets we salivate upon each and every year. You can bet on anything from the national anthem to the commercials, but perhaps no Super Bowl prop provided by BetUS bet enjoys more love than who wins the MVP. Only eight defensive players have won the award, while receivers and tailbacks combine for just 13 MVP trophies. Yet if you’re going to play this Super Bowl prop bet, the first choice should always the quarterback position, which has won it 52-percent of the time.

Shabbat Shalom/Merry Christmas Friday Wrap-Up (12/24/2010) from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

A lot of money was spent in Washington on Sunday, just not in the typical way. Admittedly, I haven’t done a great job on posting here in recent months. But sometimes a story will come along that screams out to me, and I feel obligated to write about it. The signing of Jayson Werth to a 7 year, $126 million contract by the Washington Nationals is one such story.

When I read about it on Twitter yesterday (follow me at @detroitdan1982), I almost fell off my chair. I don’t really hide the fact that I am a die hard Detroit Tigers fan, and I was hopeful that the club’s general manager, Dave Dombrowski, might make a play for Werth to solidify the middle of the lineup with Miguel Cabrera and the recently signed Victor Martinez. He would have also ben a defensive improvement in right field. But there was no way on God’s green earth that I thought the Tigers should pay $126 million for him. This looks like it could be the newest candidate for worst free agent contract in Major League Baseball history.

It seemed all along that the Boston Red Sox were the front runners for Werth. They reportedly had meetings with him, and all indications were that Werth would soon join the BoSox (who made their own splash on Sunday by trading for Adrian Gonzalez from the San Diego Padres). But seemingly out of nowhere, the Nats stepped forward and made the biggest free agent signing in franchise history.

Score another one for Scott Boras, though. He consistently squeezes the most out of teams for his clients. While I’m no expert, I guessed that when free agency began, Werth might be in line for a contract somewhere in the range of $70-$90 million for 6 or 7 years. I also thought the biggest fish on the market, Carl Crawford, would probably get upwards of $100 million for 6 or 7 years, but not significantly more than that. But now that Werth is getting $126 million, it seems as though Crawford is set to receive at least that much, and maybe as much as $180 million according to some sources. I really don’t think either of those guys are on par with Joe Mauer or Mark Teixeira, who have signed $180 million contracts in recent years.

As the title of the article suggests, I think this might be just a bit too much money for Werth. He turns 32 in May, and while he may improve, and it’s possible that he has a few good years ahead of him, he’s never finished a season with a batting average over .300 and he’s never had 100 RBIs. I know those aren’t the only stats that matter, but if I’m paying a guy over $100 million, I think I might want him to be able to do those things.

The contract is the same in years and dollars as the one that Vernon Wells signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in late 2006. While that one hasn’t quite worked out the way the Jays had hoped, Wells had just turned 28 at the time and seemed to have more upside at that point than Werth has now. Only time will tell, but I have a feeling that two or three years from now (or maybe even sooner), the Nationals will regret committing so much money to a player who seems unproven, at least in my eyes.

What do you think? Am I the only one who thinks that the Nationals will eventually end up regretting this deal? I’d love to know what you think!

Insanity in the Nation’s Capital: Is Jayson “Werth” $126 Million? from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

• It is not the Amateur Draft, also known as the Rule 4 Draft, where high school, junior college, and juniors/seniors in 4-year universities are selected in the 50 round draft.
• To be eligible to be drafted, a player must not be on the 40-man roster and must have been in the organization for 4 years if signed at 19-years-old or older, or 5 years if signed at 18-years-old or younger.
• Triple-A players selected must be added to that team’s 40-man roster and kept on that team’s 25-man roster (and active for at least 90 days) for at least one full season.  A team selecting a player must pay $50,000 that player’s former team a fee of $50,000.  This is known as the Major League Phase.
• That player may be waived by the new team.  If he clears waivers, the team that lost him in the Rule 5 draft has the option to take him back for a price of $25,000.
• Double-A players (or lower level) may be selected to play on a team’s Triple-A squad and Single-A players (or lower level) may be selected to play on a team’s Double-A squad.

The Rule 5 Draft is historically pitcher-heavy. Last year, 14 of the 17 players selected in the Major League Phase were pitchers; 8 were RHPs and 6 were LHPs.  15 of the 21 players taken in the Triple-A Phase were pitchers; 9 RHPs and 6 LHPs.  All 4 players selected in the Double-A Phase were RHPs.  The New York Mets and the Washington Nationals were very active in last year’s Rule 5 Draft.  The Mets selected 6 and the Nationals selected 4 of the 42 total players taken.

Before you go ahead and discount the value of the Rule 5 Draft, realize the the draft is responsible for formerly changing the teams for the following players: Josh Hamilton, Dan Uggla, Joakim Soria, Carlos Monasterios, Darren O’Day, Jose Bautista, and Jay Gibbons.

Here are the players that John Manuel of Baseball America is interested in leading up to this year’s Rule 5 Draft.  And here are some more players to read up on, presented by Bucs Dugout.

Warming Up For The 2010 Rule 5 Draft from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Sports Business

• It certainly helps when Josh Hamilton and Cody Ross endorse your product for free [Evoshield Gets Big Buzz Before It Hits Stores].

Football

• Under North Carolina law, documents and other information generated by state agencies and institutions should be, with limited exceptions, made public [Triangle media groups seeking football records sue UNC].
• Should the NFLPA be doing more to check the quality of those on its approved list of financial advisers? [NFL players at risk of financial roughing]

Baseball

• Negotiations will probably come down to number of years on the contract [Agent: Derek Jeter has huge value].
• Some good information from my friend Robert Raiola [Cliff Lee & Taxes In Texas].

Sports Law

• $25 million lawsuit alleging defamation, false light invasion of privacy, and negligent misrepresentation [Promoter at center of O.J. Mayo scandal at USC sues NCAA].
• Nathan Peake was Steve Francis’s mentor and business manager [Sports agent booked for tax evasion].
• And Florida is supposedly one of the few states “tough on agents” [Records show few agent busts since FSU scandal].

Shabbat Shalom: Friday Wrap-Up (11/5/2010) from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Since many people within the business of baseball have been talking up the 2011 Draft and downplaying this year’s draft talent, it appears that this year’s draft picks might have benefited a bit from teams just willing to spend more cash on their selections.  Bryce Harper received $9.9 million ($6.25 of that being a signing bonus), but he was certainly not the only bonus baby of the draft.  Overall, bonuses were up $5.5 million from last year.  If you include the guaranteed money for Bryce Harper, Yasmani Grandal, and Zach Cox, the disparity is even greater.  Players will take a total of $200.9 million from MLB teams just based on being drafted.

And it was not just the Yankees and the Red Sox spending money on their picks.  While The Red Sox were the #4 spender, they were beat out by the Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Toronto Blue Jays.  Next time those teams claim to be “small market teams”, you can remind them of their draft budgets.  You could also just bring up Deadspin’s leaked financial documents.

Even though a vast majority of teams ignored MLB’s recommended slot values, The Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins remained extremely conservative, not going over slot with any of its picks.  But even the Braves and Twins might not be able to refrain from becoming big spenders next year; a year where it should be quite nice to be advising the top players in the draft.

“If you thought we were aggressive this year, wait until you see next year,” an American League scouting director said. “It may be our last chance to sign a lot of the high school players, and we’re going to take advantage. A lot of other teams will, too.”

If that’s the case, draft spending will surge further upward in 2011.

MLB Teams = Big Spenders from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

1. Bryce Harper (Washington Nationals) – Boras Corp. – Interesting to note that Bud Selig referred to Harper as an outfielder even though he has played mostly catcher his entire life.  Get this kid on the fast track through the Minors.
2. Jameson Tallion (Pittsburgh Pirates) – Hendricks Sports Management – Big high school arm clocked as high as 99 mph.
3. Manny Machado (Baltimore Orioles) – Boras Corp. - Hard to see Machado passing up signing to go play at Florida International University.  Interesting that FIU is his college commitment.
4. Christian Colon (Kansas City Royals) – Boras Corp. – Yesterday, I had reported that the Royals wanted to sign Yasmani Grandal.  Perhaps his price tag was too high.
5. Drew Pomeranz (Cleveland Indians) - Beverly Hills Sports Council – He was drafted in the 12th round out of high school.
6. Barret Loux (Arizona Diamondbacks) – SFX – Jumped up boards a lot recently.
7. Matt Harvey (New York Mets) – Boras Corp. – 4th Boras client selected in the top 7 picks.
8. Delino Deshields Jr. (Houston Astros) – Wasserman Media Group
9. Karsten Whitson (San Diego Padres) - SFX – Committed to my alma mater, the University of Florida.
10. Michael Choice (Oakland Athletics) – Franklin-Frye Sports – Went undrafted out of high school.
11. Deck McGuire (Toronto Blue Jays) – SFX – Also undrafted out of high school.
12. Yasmani Grandal (Cincinnati Reds) – Legacy Sports Group – Slipped because of signability issues.
13. Chris Sale (Chicago White Sox) – Jet Sports Management – Didn’t play at a major school (Florida Gulf Coast University), but put up great numbers there and played very well in Cape Cod last summer.
14. Dylan Covey (Milwaukee Brewers) – Wasserman Media Group
15. Jake Skole (Texas Rangers) – Unknown – Won’t be compensated if they don’t sign this pick (most likely why Skole was taken here).
16. Hayden Simpson (Chicago Cubs) - Hendricks Sports Management – Great numbers this past year in Division II baseball.
17. Josh Sale (Tampa Bay Rays) – Creative Artists Agency – Don’t worry, different advisors than the people at CAA who have to worry about where LeBron will play.
18. Kaleb Cowart (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) – SFX – Boras Corp. has higher drafted clients, but at this point of the draft, SFX and Boras tied in number of players picked.
19. Michael Foltynewicz (Houston Astros) – Octagon
20. Kolbrin Vitek (Boston Red Sox) – Pro Star Management - Joe Bick also represents Kevin Youkilis, one of my favorite players.
21. Alex Wimmers (Minnesota Twins) – ACES – Undrafted out of high school.
22. Kellin Deglan (Texas Rangers) – Double Diamond Sports Management – Canadian catcher committed to Florida International University with Manny Machado.
23. Christian Yelich (Florida Marlins) – Creative Artists Agency – Committed to the University of Miami, so he will be in the state of Florida no matter what.
24. Gary Brown (San Francisco Giants) – Boras Corp. – And Boras re-gains the lead in clients selected with a total of 5 at this point.
25. Zack Cox (St. Louis Cardinals) – SFX – A draft-eligible sophomore.
26. Kyle Parker (Colorado Rockies) – Career Sports Entertainment – Also the quarterback for Clemson.  Will be a tough sign.
27. Jesse Biddle (Philadelphia Phillies) – Sosnick & Cobbe – Matt Sosnick represents some big time pitchers; add this stud to the list.
28. Zach Lee (Los Angeles Dodgers) – Unknown – Committed to play football at LSU. Queue the signability discussion.
29. Cam Bedrosian (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) – ACES
30. Chevez Clarke (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) – ACES – 2 ACES clients drafted in a row, and a total of 3 ACES clients taken in the first round.
31. Justin O’Connor (Tampa Bay Rays) – SFX – Committed to Arkansas.
32. Cito Culver (New York Yankees) – SFX

Comp Round A

1. Mike Kvasnicka (Houston Astros) – Sterling Sports Management
2. Aaron Sanchez (Toronto Blue Jays) – West Coast Sports
3. Matthew Lipka (Atlanta Braves) – Franklin-Frye Sports
4. Bryce Brentz (Boston Red Sox) – Jet Sports Management
5. Taylor Lindsey (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) – Unknown
6. Noah Syndergaard (Toronto Blue Jays) – Xclusive Sports Management
7. Anthony Ranaudo (Boston Red Sox) – Boras Corp.
8. Ryan Bolden (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) – ACES
9. Asher Wojciechowski (Toronto Blue Jays) - SFX
10. Drew Vettleson (Tampa Bay Rays) – Creative Artists Agency
11. Taijuan Walker (Seattle Mariners) – Reynolds Sports Management
12. Nick Castellanos (Detroit Tigers) – SportsMeter
13. Luke Jackson (Texas Rangers) – Unknown
14. Seth Blair (St. Louis Cardinals) – Boras Corp.
15. Peter Tago (Colorado Rockies) – Wasserman Media Group
16. Chance Ruffin (Detroit Tigers) – Unknown
17. Mike Olt (Texas Rangers) – Wasserman Media Group
18. Tyrell Jenkins (St. Louis Cardinals) – Select Sports Group

The MLB Draft Day 1 Broken Down from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

While Bryce Harper is the clear #1 overall pick in terms of talent, he leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to character.  Getting a two-game suspension slapped on you after your second ejection of the season, right before the biggest day of your life (the MLB Draft), might cause you to slip in the draft if you were anyone other than Harper.  But the kid can play, and at approximately 7 p.m., live on MLB TV, he will be selected by the Washington Nationals.  3 picks later, the Kansas City Royals are rumored to already be negotiating with Yasmani Grandal‘s advisor Greg Genske for a bonus that is a little above $3 million.

But the draft is more than the top 4 picks.  It is a 50 round (plus early supplementals) affair.  And here is an awesome quote from a recent Peter Gammons piece,

Monday’s Draft is essentially a three-player showcase — Harper, Machado, Taillon. “After that,” said one National League general manager, “there’s virtually no difference between the fourth and 44th picks. So in many ways, it’s really a scouts’ Draft. If your scouts are really good, you will be fine, except that it will be expensive.”

We will be updating you with the advisor and signing bonus information for the draft as we receive it.  After the top 10 rounds, it is tough to find the advisor/player match-up, so if you are an advisor reading this post, feel free to send us the names of the players you are advising as they get picked or after the draft has concluded.

The schedule over the next 3 days is as follows:

• Today, June 7 – 7:00 p.m. – Round 1
• Tuesday, June 8 – 12:00 p.m. – Rounds 2-30
• Wednesday, June 9 – 12:00 p.m. – Rounds 31-50

Tonight, you should follow the draft on TV.  The other days, log on to MLB.com’s live feed at MLB.com/LIVE.

And as for the players who do not yet have an advisor (and I know that there are still quite a few top 200 players without one, some of whom say that they will not hire one at all), read through this post before you sit down in front of the TV tonight and the computer screen tomorrow.

The 2010 MLB Draft Begins Tonight from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules