The National Hockey League (NHL) is a multi-billion dollar business. In the 2019/2020 season, the league generated $4.4 billion in revenue. Projections suggest the NHL will make up to $5 billion for the 2021/2022 season. Potential professional hockey players must understand these revenue figures for contract negotiations. Knowing how much the league, and its various franchises, earn helps you determine your value.
Professional sports agents exist to represent your interests during every stage of your professional career. Agents negotiate contracts on behalf of their players and offer career guidance. Of course, there are good and bad agents. As a professional hockey player, you need to know what to look for before signing on with a new agent.
National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) certification is the primary concern. Any sports agent acting on behalf of a professional hockey player must hold this certification. The NHLPA has Agent Regulations, which define the terms under which a certified agent performs their duties. These regulations also contain codes of conduct that agents must follow. If a player is unsure about their prospective agent’s certification status, they can find a list of all certified agents on the NHLPA website. Avoid any agent who is not NHLPA-certified as they may not act in your best interests.
There are several traits to consider beyond the agent’s certification. Honesty is vital in all interactions between a player and their agent. Players trust agents to oversee sensitive financial information, meaning your agent must be transparent with you at all times. A good agent discloses all relevant information to their client, including bad news related to failed negotiations and negative feedback. Be wary of any agent that showers you with praise without discussing the less positive elements of their work. A good understanding of your abilities helps determine if an agent makes false promises.
Availability is also a critical concern. There is little point in having an agent if you cannot reach them when you need to discuss an issue. Though agents often juggle several clients at once, they should always be quick to respond to your queries. Good agents provide regular updates to their players, particularly regarding negotiations.
Beyond examining their certification status, conducting background checks on the agent is also beneficial. Check the agent’s website to ensure they present themselves professionally. Do the same for their social media accounts. Your agent represents you, meaning you must understand how the agent presents themselves on all channels.
Finally, speak to other agents besides the one you’re considering working with. The best agents maintain extensive networks that include other agents. Your goal here is to determine whether other people in the industry have heard of or worked with your prospective agent. You can also use these conversations to get a broad view of the agent’s reputation within the industry.
Professional hockey players make big decisions when signing on with a sports agent. You must feel confident that your agent will represent your best interests regarding your finances. Plus, the agent must present themselves in a way that benefits your career and personal brand. By following the above guidelines, you ensure that you work with an agent who serves your career.
from WordPress https://ift.tt/0AYfZHh
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.