Is Age An Important Factor In Determining Success?

One recurring question in our Interview With The Agent column is: At what age do you feel an agent will hit his prime/glory years? I personally believe that there really is no true answer to that question.  I am a firm believer that age is merely a word and that we are purely bound by our intelligence and ability to think outside of the box instead of by how many years we have been alive.  Obviously, I am going to believe this to be the case, as one of the youngest registered sports agents in the history of the industry.

When people find out that I am a sports agent, a common follow-up question is, “Why would any athlete sign with you? You do not have much experience and you are young.”  My answer clarifies the fact that I actually do have plenty of experience in negotiation settings and extreme knowledge of the subject at hand (that of being representation, marketing, the business of sports, etc).  In addition, the fact that I am young and do not represent an overwhelming amount of clients can play to my benefit.  I am young, energetic, and passionate about my work.  I have not yet made my millions and I am driven to see my clients succeed.  Also, by not having a huge client stable, I can focus a large portion of time on the few players that we represent at Dynasty Athlete Representation.

If you want to look to another example of a young sports agent’s success, take a peek at Alvin Keels, President of Global Management Group.  Like myself, Keels mainly works out of his home.  Unlike me, he actually has a real office that he may use if he chose to do so.  He also does not have a website for his agency.

Keels is only seven years older than me (making him twenty nine years-old) and already has a list of clients that includes the highest paid running back in the NFL – Larry Johnson [Portsmouth sports agent reaching for riches].  He started his own agency at the age of twenty one and had a client drafted by the NFL one year later.

The scary similarities continue.  I used to have my own promotions company as an undergrad.  DHP – Darren Heitner Promotions was the original site located at www.dhpromo.com.  Keels also started his own promotions company while enrolled at Elizabeth City State College.  And not surprisingly, we both always have a phone attached to our ears.

When put to the test, a young agent can get the job done.  Recently, Keels had to convince Larry Johnson that he would be able to effectively and successfully negotiate a new contract on the running back’s behalf.  Keels proved that he could get the job done.

“He stood his ground,” Johnson said. “He didn’t let anybody bully him around.”

The lesson for all of you looking to break into the industry, but are told time and time again that it is nearly impossible to do: STAND YOUR GROUND.  Do not let anybody bully you around. Some people may laugh when I hand out a business card.  I am twenty two years-old, how the hell am I going to represent a top tier athlete?  Keep watching/reading and you will see it in action.