The major college football landscape has changed significantly in the past 6 months, let alone the past two years. College programs are adopting NFL models, hiring general managers, high school scouting staff, and college scouting staff for potential portal transfers. And as the model has changed, so have the contracts. Contracts now include penalty and enforcement provisions on multiple year, six figure contracts.
As a parent you trust those that you know, those that are close. But what if those that you trust and know do not understand the markets, legal terms, and how to contractually protect their clients? Most states have laws that require agents to be licensed, to provide some sort of quality control. Others, like Colorado and Wyoming, do not. This has enabled coaches and street agents, who have no legal background and no licensing, to operate as “agents” with no expertise in the area that you need most.” George Holley is a licensed attorney of 14 years, and licensed agent by the NFLPA, having negotiated numerous Power 4 and NFL Contracts, with contacts at college programs across the Country.
Frequently Asked Questions
While your son’s Coach may be the best football coach in the state, and even a very good advocate in the recruiting sphere, he doesn’t have knowledge of legal terms, how to enforce contracts, how to avoid legal pitfalls in the negotiation of contracts, and does not understand the legal duties of loyalty or care. Negotiations move fast with experienced university attorneys. The failure to grasp complex legal concepts will have negative impacts on your ability to negotiate. These are not “standard” contracts with “standard” terms. Compared to the NFL, this is the wild west and takes much more skill and experience. You need experienced legal counsel on your team.
I have no doubt that 99% of the coaching staff’s love and want to take care of your son. The problem is that the people negotiating the terms of your contract, including payment and buyouts, have a fiduciary duty of loyalty to the school. By definition, these schools must only have their school’s best interest in mind. Should the school’s agent place the players’ interest above the schools, they could be personally liable. You need representation.