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The business of sports is moving faster than ever. NIL deals, revenue sharing, big contracts—all of it means athletes are facing grown-up decisions earlier and earlier in their careers. High schoolers, college athletes, and pros all find themselves asking the same question: Do I need an agent, and how do I protect myself if I get one?
That’s exactly why I brought on Luke Fedlam for a recent episode of Five with Fry. Luke calls himself a “protector of possibilities.” He’s a non-agent sports attorney, which means he doesn’t chase down deals. He makes sure athletes stay protected in everything they sign (outside of an autograph). Luke has looked at thousands of contracts, worked across NIL and professional sports, and knows where athletes most often get burned.
Together, we broke down the five things you have to know before signing with an agent.
1. Decide what services you actually need
This one sounds simple, but it’s the step most athletes skip. Too often, athletes let an agent tell them what they’re going to do when, really, the athlete is the CEO of their own brand. You wouldn’t start a new job by writing your own job description and handing it to your boss, right? The same logic applies here.
Ask yourself: Do I need help finding NIL deals? Growing my brand? Negotiating contracts? Building media opportunities? Get clear on what you want before anyone else sets the terms.
2. Do real due diligence
Don’t just take someone’s word that they’ve represented players before. Google them. See what comes up. Have they been sued? Do they have a shady history? Then dig deeper. Ask if they’re certified through ANSBC (Athlete National Sports Business Clearinghouse), which runs background checks and ongoing monitoring.
This is especially important with NIL agents. Professional agents are usually governed by player unions and collective bargaining agreements. NIL agents? Not so much. Oversight is limited, which means you need to be even more thorough.
3. Always have a written contract and understand it
No verbal agreements. No handshake deals. Ever.
Luke and I talked about athletes who signed flimsy, one-page “agreements” and later found themselves on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars. Contracts are where the fine print lives: exclusivity clauses, intellectual property rights, compensation models. If you don’t fully understand it, find someone who does. Remember: your name, image, and likeness are your intellectual property. Protect them.
4. Negotiate termination language
Here’s where athletes often get trapped. Many contracts lock you in for a year or two, with automatic renewals that keep you tied down. Don’t sign that.
Push for language that lets you end the relationship at any time, with reasonable notice (15–30 days). And make sure the definition of “significant negotiations” is clear, so you don’t end up paying two agents for the same deal. If someone’s rushing you to sign, that’s not opportunity. It’s a red flag.
5. Keep monitoring the relationship
Signing isn’t the finish line. It’s the starting point.
Luke put it bluntly: most athletes don’t get taken advantage of on day one. It happens later, after trust has been built. That’s why you need ongoing evaluation. Set goals with your agent. Schedule quarterly or annual check-ins. Bring your whole advisory team (lawyer, financial advisor, etc.) into the same room to keep checks and balances in place.
And if your agent’s actions don’t align with your values—loyalty, honesty, integrity—don’t ignore it. You’re not being “difficult.” You’re protecting your career, your reputation, and your money.
Why this matters now
The NIL landscape is forcing athletes to make adult business decisions earlier than ever. Some college athletes are signing million-dollar deals before they’ve even finished unpacking in the dorms. As I said on the show, many families aren’t prepared for the pressure to deliver immediately once money enters the picture. That’s why education and preparation matter.
The bottom line
Agents can be powerful allies, but only if you know how to choose them, structure the relationship, and hold them accountable.
The five takeaways:
- Define what services you need
- Do your due diligence
- Get a written contract that you understand
- Negotiate termination rights
- Keep monitoring the relationship
Get these right on the front end, and you’ll save yourself money, stress, and headaches later.
Want the full conversation? Listen to my Five with Fry episode with Luke Fedlam and hear more stories, examples, and practical advice.
