The selection of an agent is a difficult process for any athlete. Anyone seeking a representative must carefully screen the agent's background, character and experience. The athlete must also be comfortable working with the agent and trust him or her. This questionnaire is designed to assist the athlete in making that selection.

1. HOW WILL YOU HANDLE THE BARRAGE OF PROSPECTIVE AGENTS SEEKING TO REPRESENT YOU? DO YOU HAVE A PLAN? WHAT OBJECTIVE STANDARD WILL YOU APPLY TO THE SELECTION PROCESS? (For example, if it is your desire that a person with a legal background handle your affairs, do not waste time talking to those who do not have a legal background.)
2. WHO WILL ASSIST YOU IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS? (Will your parents, guardian, best friend, wife, girlfriend, college coach, high school coach, a professor, personal advisor or another whom you trust have a voice in the decision process?)
3. DOES THE AGENT HAVE TO BE AN ATTORNEY?
4. IS THE CULTURAL MAKEUP, BACKGROUND AND SENSITIVITY OF THE AGENT IMPORTANT TO YOU? IF SO, WHY?
5. DOES PRIOR PLAYING EXPERIENCE OF THE AGENT OFFER INSIGHT THAT MAY BE BENEFICIAL TO YOU?
6. WHO HAS THE AGENT REPRESENTED BEFORE AND DOES THAT RELATIONSHIP CONTINUE AFTER THE ATHLETE'S PLAYING CAREER IS OVER?
7. DO YOU WANT THE AGENT TO HANDLE YOUR FINANCIAL AFFAIRS? IF NOT, DO YOU HAVE ALTERNATIVE PLANS THAT INCLUDE WORKING WITH QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS?
8. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR LIFE AFTER YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAREER?
9. DOES THE AGENT HAVE CONTACTS FOR MARKETING AND ENDORSEMENT OPPORTUNITIES?

Suggested Questions to Ask Prospective Agent

• ARE YOU CERTIFIED BY THE APPROPRIATE UNIONS? (For example, National Football League Players Association or National Basketball Players Association.)
• HOW MANY PLAYERS DO YOU CURRENTLY REPRESENT? (Get the names and telephone numbers of former players represented, not, repeat not, current players.)
• WHAT ASSISTANCE DO YOU OFFER IN POST CAREER DEVELOPMENT?
• DO YOU OR DOES YOUR AGENCY HANDLE THE FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE CLIENT? IF SO, WHO SPECIFICALLY DOES THE DAY TO DAY WORK AND WHAT ARE THEIR PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS?
• WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND?
• DID YOU EVER PLAY SPORTS ON THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL? DID YOU EVER PLAY SPORTS ON THE PROFESSIONAL LEVEL?
• DO YOU HAVE ANY PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS? (For example a member of the Bar Association, Certified Planners Association or Certified Public Accountant Association.)
• DO YOU DO THIS FULL TIME? IF NOT, WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO?
• ARE YOU NOW BEING SUED OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN SUED BY A FORMER CLIENT? IF SO, WHY AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME OF THE LITIGATION?
• HAVE YOU EVER SUED OR ARE YOU CURRENTLY SUING A FORMER CLIENT AND IF SO, WHY?
• (And if the prospective agent is also an attorney ask the following question.) HAVE YOU EVER BEEN THE SUBJECT OF DISCPLINARY ACTION BY THE BAR ASSOCIATION OF WHICH YOU ARE A MEMBER, FOR ANY REASON, WHETHER OR NOT IT IS RELATED TO YOUR SPORTS REPRESENTATION PRACTICE?
• WHAT MARKETING PLAN DO YOU HAVE IN MIND FOR ME IN BOTH THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL MARKET PLACES?
• WHEN I NEED SERVICE AFTER THE SIGNING OF MY CONTRACT, WILL YOU BE MY PERSONAL CONTACT PERSON ON A DAILY BASIS?
• WILL YOU BE THE PERSON WHO ACTUALLY NEGOTIATES MY CONTRACT? IF NOT, WHO WILL THAT PERSON BE?
  
  NOTE: This questionnaire should not be considered as a complete list of concerns that the athlete may have nor a complete list of questions that the athlete needs to ask the prospective agent. The intent of this questionnaire is to assist the athlete in outlining the objective and subjective criteria that are important to him or her in the selection process.