Over on the SportsAgentBlog.com Forum, there is currently a very informative thread concerning clauses in soccer contracts. I am not quite sure that a 9-year-old would understand much of the literature, however. But why do I care about children looking at this blog anyway? Shouldn’t they be busy eating glue or sticking beans in their ears? Rhain Davis is one 9-year-old who definitely does not have the time to partake in such activities.
Davis has just signed a contract with Manchester United after the team was impressed by a highlight DVD sent over by his grandfather [Man U signs nine-year-old YouTube wonder kid]. Here is the YouTube video:
Will he be the next Wayne Rooney? I think it is a little tough to tell from a 6 minute YouTube video. I was a little surprised to find out that Man U signs around 40 players under 10 years of age every year. Apparently they start recruiting kids when they turn the ripe age of 8 [Manchester United Offer Rhain Davis, 9, Chance At Stardom].
I am not surprised, however, that a player was signed solely on a DVD submission and was boosted by a YouTube video. We are experiencing the natural evolution of recruiting and communication within the sports industry. Soon, it will become commonplace for athletes to post their highlight reels online and scouts, GMs, and agents will scour the web looking for the next prodigies.
-Darren Heitner
