The State of Arkansas yet another step closer to having a stricter athlete agent law. The Athlete Agent Reform Act Of 2011 by Rep. David J. Sanders has now passed through the House of Representatives by a vote of 89-0 and last Thursday, the Senate approved it by a 28-0 margin. It will now go to the governor of Arkansas for final approval; it is very unlikely that it will be vetoed. Arkansas’ Attorney General and the University of Arkansas Athletic Director have already thrown their support behind passage of the Act.
Senator Jeremy Hutchinson presented The Athlete Agent Reform Act of 2011 on the Senate floor. While there was no debate as to the bill’s merits, Hutchinson said the following: “It appears that when sports agents unlawfully give money to student athletes the student athlete gets punished, the university gets punished, the fans … across the country get punished, yet the agent who actually violated the law gets off with very little, a misdemeanor.” Arkansas seems committed to change that, at least within its own borders. As I have stated numerous times, though, the key element is enforcing the Act once it becomes law.
One reply on “Athlete Agent Reform Act Of 2011 Almost Arkansas Law”
This act is quite interesting. On one hand, it’s great that these “athlete-agents” who break the rules receive punishment for their actions, but like you said Darren, how strictly and equally will it be enforced is the big question.