You might not know what a hockey agent is, but you will soon learn everything you need to know about becoming one.
In the NHL, an agent’s primary responsibility is to negotiate contracts on behalf of his clients. However, a hockey agent also does everything from preparing players for games to acting as a counselor for young players looking for advice. Simply put, a hockey agent is like a sports lawyer married to a business partner.
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The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Hockey Agent
Thanks to the wonders of the internet, we can now provide you with the ultimate guide to becoming a hockey agent. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about becoming a hockey agent, including, but not limited to, the following topics:
The Education
Even though you might not need a law degree to become a hockey agent, the basic education required for the job includes several years of law school. However, since many hockey agents work in sports law, you don’t necessarily need to go to law school to do so. Instead, you can get an associates degree in sports management and then seek employment in the field.
The Career Path
Thanks to the wonders of the internet, you can now find a job listing for almost any city or town in North America. Using this search tool, you can type in whatever attributes you might have – like “penny pinchers” – and see a list of jobs that meet your criteria. Keep in mind that these are only examples; some of these listings might require a law degree, while others might not.
When it comes to finding employment, you don’t necessarily have to settle for the first job that you come across. Instead, you can use sites like Monster.com to connect with recruiters from top-tier law firms and sports organizations who are interested in hiring a new agent.
The Starting Salary
When you enter into this type of employment, you will generally start out earning a six-figure salary. However, this figure can vary widely, and it depends on a number of factors. For instance, how many agents are there in your area? What is the average price of a game during the NHL season? These are just examples of the kind of questions an agent might ask when trying to negotiate a new contract.
Representing Professional Hockey Players
In many ways, representing professional hockey players is very similar to representing other professional athletes. However, there are a few specific things you need to know before you start.
Most importantly, you need to get a license to practice law in the state where you will be working. In most states, this will require taking the bar exam. In Florida, for example, you will have to take the Florida Bar Exam, otherwise known as the Multi-State Essay Exam. Once you pass the exam, you can register with the Florida Bar and gain the right to practice law in the state.
In addition to getting a license, you also need to register with the NHL Players’ Association. In most cases, this will require filling out a form, which will then be processed and a payment of $50-100 will be mailed to your address. You will then receive a membership card, which you can use to log in to the association’s website to manage your player’s professional affairs.
In the meantime, you can start by building a clientele in your hometown. Many agents do this by creating websites and social media accounts where they can promote their services and attract new clients. Once you have a few clients, you can begin to bring in money through retainer fees.
What You Will Be Doing Daily
An agent’s day will be spent negotiating contracts and preparing for games, as discussed in the previous section. However, there is a lot more that an agent does. A full day is quite a bit different from a typical nine-to-five job, and it will require a lot of planning and research. In most instances, an agent will work closely with a player’s coach and performance psychologist, as well as the player himself.
As a counselor, you will be expected to deal with a wide range of issues that a player might be facing. This could include marital problems, or financial hardships resulting from a drop in income. You may even be asked to represent a player in criminal matters, if necessary.
Additionally, as the owner of the agent’s office, you will be responsible for hiring and training of additional staff, as well as the safekeeping of client information. In many cases, you will also be required to attend meetings and spend time at clients’ homes, doing whatever it takes to help the client achieve their goals.
Working as a hockey agent is probably the closest you will ever come to playing pro sports. It’s a job that requires you to get up early in the morning, spend a lot of time on your feet, and keep your cool under pressure. If you have what it takes, the rewards can be great – both financially and personally. Just make sure you are prepared to dedicate the required time and energy to the job.