It was brought to my attention today that the NFLPA adopted a very harsh agent regulation back in April. It states that agents are strictly prohibited from having any contact with college football players who aren’t three years out of high school (including email contact). There wasn’t much press on it, but here it is:
NFLPA REGULATIONS – RECRUITING PROSPECTIVE PLAYERS WHO ARE
INELIGIBLE FOR THE NFL DRAFT
Be it resolved, that Section 3B (Prohibited Conduct) of the NFLPA Regulations Governing Contract Advisors be amended to provide that a Contract Advisor or a representative of the Contract Advisor or anyone acting on his/her behalf is prohibited from communicating with (including but not limited to in person contact or by means of telephonic or electronic communication) a prospective player who is ineligible for the NFL Draft pursuant to Article XVI of the CBA, or communicating with (including but
not limited to in person contact or by means of telephonic or electronic communication) any person in a position to influence a prospective player who is ineligible to be drafted pursuant to Article XVI of the CBA until the prospective player becomes eligible for the NFL Draft.
Be it further resolved, that a Contract Advisor or a representative of the Contract Advisor,
or any person affiliated with the Contract Advisor is also prohibited from speaking or
presenting to groups of prospective players in a setting where prospective players who
are ineligible for the NFL Draft pursuant to Article XVI are present at such presentation.
Be it further resolved, that a Contract Advisor may send any prospective player or
prospective player’s parent(s), relative(s) or legal guardian(s) promotional brochures as
long as the information is general and not specifically directed to a particular player.
Amidst the rumors circulating that the union plans to cut agent fees from 3% to 2%, this rule makes it even harder for agents to survive.
I was also shocked to find out today that Durant failed to bench press 185lbs. once in his pre-draft workouts. I know he is an incredible talent and he’ll obviously get stronger once he gets to the league. But, he has to do better than that.
Any thoughts?
Matthew Allinson
6 replies on “NFLPA Cuts Off Agent Contact”
Maybe I’m wrong, but hasn’t this policy been in place for a while? If not, what was the policy before this was implemented?
To my knowledge this regulation was recently adopted in early April. It’s posted on the NFLPA’s website under agent regulations in the 2007 Amendment section. Before this rule, agents were free to contact any college football player, no matter if he was draft eligible or not.
Interesting. I guess that if my son (future son, that is) is a college football player, I won’t be able to speak to him for 3 years. He would probably enjoy that anyway.
I don’t think the rule has been in place for a while, if it has the agent I interned with last summer was not in compliance.
Interesting. I know that in the University of Florida training rooms they have placards cautioning that if an agent comes into contact with a player, that player should direct all questions to the UF Athletic Offices (presumably because many athletes do not know what types of conduct will or will not jeopardize their eligibility). I did a little more research and found out that even though agents technically could speak with a player at any time, most schools required agents to schedule their visits through their respective athletic offices and they typically would not allow athletes to speak with agents unless it was coordinated through the school per their student-athlete/agent conduct policy.
Andrew, you’re right with all of your points. Because of the new rule, Ohio State almost cancelled their pro day because only juniors or redshirt sophmores could attend. This rule is really making an impact. A call to the NFLPA yesterday confirmed that they have sent out memos to certified agents. Other than that, the NFLPA has just recently posted the rule on their website and have been tight lipped about it.