When I tell my friends of how I wanted to become an NFL agent, the biggest challenge I had to overcome was understanding exactly what an NFL agent does. Sure, I knew that agents negotiate contracts and serve as a sounding board for their clients, but there was so much more to the job. After doing my own research and talking to some NFL agents themselves, I quickly realized that being successful in this profession requires a lot of hard work and dedication.
First and foremost, I had to understand the basics of the business. I read up on all the different positions within the NFL and the different contractual agreements they use. I also had to learn about the various salary structures, marketing, and core NFL business practices. It was overwhelming at first, but with enough practice it quickly became easier.
Next, I started networking as much as I could. I reached out to family and friends who knew anything about the business or connected me to someone that did. I also made sure to attend NFL events and conferences, both online and in person, to get my name out there and build relationships within the sporting industry. This was the key to my success, as it enabled me to meet the right people and create a solid foundation for running my own business.
One thing I learned quickly was that not everyone you come in contact with can help you. I made sure to spend time getting to know the person before I asked too many questions. I always made sure to be courteous and professional in my conversations and never appeared too pushy. I also always made sure to follow up my conversations with a thank you email and a reminder to keep me in mind for future help.
The last and probably most important thing I did was research. Researching who some of the most successful NFL agents were, what their client portfolios looked like, and how they accomplished certain deals. I then took those deals and recreated them with the knowledge I had gained. This enabled me to have a more creative approach when negotiating with NFL organizations. It gave me the chance to learn what did and didn’t work, and allowed me to figure out what was the best option for my client.
By far, the most difficult part of becoming an NFL agent was learning the ropes. I had to invest a lot of time and resources into making sure I had all the necessary knowledge and understanding of the business. Once I had a good grip on the basics, I was able to make leaps and bounds. I spoke with everyone I could, showed my passion, and gathered as much information as possible. By following these steps I was able to make my dream of becoming an NFL agent a reality.