Before diving into the topic, let me clarify that this is purely an opinion piece based on my experiences and observations in the overseas basketball world. I’m not here to vilify agents who follow the practices I’ll be discussing, as there may be legitimate reasons behind their actions that I haven’t considered. However, it would take a compelling argument to convince me otherwise. The only scenario where I see this approach as justifiable is when the player in question is already an established veteran, nearing the end of their career. For those players, it might make sense for both parties. But when it comes to players who have never played overseas or who have limited experience, I take issue with this practice.
Now that we’ve set the stage, let’s talk about what I mean by “help.” Sometimes, agents won’t officially sign a player to their roster but will instead tell the player that they’ll “help” them out. The deal is that if an interesting opportunity arises, the agent will pass it along. This might sound good on the surface, but there are several key points to consider.
Why This Approach Is Problematic
- False Sense of Security When an agent says they’ll “help” a player, it often gives the player a false sense of security, making them believe the agent is actively working for them. However, in reality, the agent is focused on the players they have officially signed and invested time in. If you’re not signed, there’s no obligation for the agent to find you a job. The agent might pass along an opportunity that isn’t suitable for their signed players, but that doesn’t mean it’s tailor-made for you. This approach can mislead players into thinking they have someone working on their behalf when that’s not really the case.
- Lack of Commitment Agents who don’t sign a player but offer to “help” are essentially hedging their bets. If you were good enough for them to want to help, why wouldn’t they sign you? That’s a critical question every player should ask. If an agent truly believes in your talent, they should be willing to commit by signing you to their roster. Without that commitment, the agent has no real obligation to you, and you might find yourself at the bottom of their priority list.
The Downside for Players
- Player Complacency One of the biggest issues I’ve seen is that players become complacent when they have multiple agents “helping” them. They think that having several agents working unofficially on their behalf increases their chances of landing a job. But in this business, that’s not true. If a team receives multiple profiles of the same player from different agents, it creates confusion. The team won’t know which agent truly represents the player and often opts to avoid the hassle altogether by looking at someone else. This means that the player’s chances of getting a job actually decrease, all because they relied on agents who weren’t fully invested in them.
- Missed Opportunities When an agent isn’t officially representing you, they’re less likely to create and send out a polished player profile to teams. And even if they do, if another agent does the same, it can create conflicts and confusion for the team. The team wants to avoid agent drama over commissions, so they might pass on you altogether. This is why it’s crucial to have an agent who is fully committed to representing you, ensuring that your profile is presented clearly and professionally to potential teams.
The Importance of Finding the Right Agent
Given these challenges, I strongly advise players to seek out an agent who is willing to sign them and believes in their abilities. No agent can guarantee a job, but having an agent who is truly invested in your success provides peace of mind. You’ll know that they are actively working to find opportunities that are the right fit for you, rather than just passing along jobs that didn’t work out for their other clients.
I’m open to hearing from agents who might have a different perspective on this practice. I don’t claim to know everything, and I’m always willing to learn. If you believe there’s a valid reason for only offering to “help” without signing a player, I’m all ears. Convince me otherwise. But until then, my stance remains firm: players deserve better than to be left hanging by agents who aren’t fully committed to their success.
A Word to Players
If you find yourself in this situation, think long and hard about whether this is the right path for you. And if you need guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out. SJM Consultation is here to help players navigate these complexities and make informed decisions about their careers. Remember, your career is worth more than just a vague offer of help.