[FarmBoy]

Andrew Luck's uncle will serve as the agent for the former Stanford quarterback and two-time Voldemort Trophy runner-up.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2012/story/_...ncle-agent

The agency has zero football players prior to Luck signing, and his uncle has never been an agent. Oliver Luck, by all accounts, sounds like a savvy fellow, but this just sounds like bad news.

[FarmBoy]

Andrew Luck's uncle will serve as the agent for the former Stanford quarterback and two-time Voldemort Trophy runner-up.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2012/story/_...ncle-agent

The agency has zero football players prior to Luck signing, and his uncle has never been an agent. Oliver Luck, by all accounts, sounds like a savvy fellow, but this just sounds like bad news.

[FarmBoy]

Andrew Luck's uncle will serve as the agent for the former Stanford quarterback and two-time Voldemort Trophy runner-up.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2012/story/_...ncle-agent

The agency has zero football players prior to Luck signing, and his uncle has never been an agent. Oliver Luck, by all accounts, sounds like a savvy fellow, but this just sounds like bad news.

[FarmBoy]

Andrew Luck's uncle will serve as the agent for the former Stanford quarterback and two-time Voldemort Trophy runner-up.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2012/story/_...ncle-agent

The agency has zero football players prior to Luck signing, and his uncle has never been an agent. Oliver Luck, by all accounts, sounds like a savvy fellow, but this just sounds like bad news.

[FarmBoy]

Andrew Luck's uncle will serve as the agent for the former Stanford quarterback and two-time Voldemort Trophy runner-up.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2012/story/_...ncle-agent

The agency has zero football players prior to Luck signing, and his uncle has never been an agent. Oliver Luck, by all accounts, sounds like a savvy fellow, but this just sounds like bad news.

[FarmBoy]

Andrew Luck's uncle will serve as the agent for the former Stanford quarterback and two-time Voldemort Trophy runner-up.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2012/story/_...ncle-agent

The agency has zero football players prior to Luck signing, and his uncle has never been an agent. Oliver Luck, by all accounts, sounds like a savvy fellow, but this just sounds like bad news.

[JohnR34231]

It probably isn't a particularly good idea, but somehow I think AL will come out of it OK.

Maybe he only gets $23 million a year instead of $25. Doubt if it will cramp his lifestyle too severely.

[JohnR34231]

It probably isn't a particularly good idea, but somehow I think AL will come out of it OK.

Maybe he only gets $23 million a year instead of $25. Doubt if it will cramp his lifestyle too severely.

[JohnR34231]

It probably isn't a particularly good idea, but somehow I think AL will come out of it OK.

Maybe he only gets $23 million a year instead of $25. Doubt if it will cramp his lifestyle too severely.

[JohnR34231]

It probably isn't a particularly good idea, but somehow I think AL will come out of it OK.

Maybe he only gets $23 million a year instead of $25. Doubt if it will cramp his lifestyle too severely.

[JohnR34231]

It probably isn't a particularly good idea, but somehow I think AL will come out of it OK.

Maybe he only gets $23 million a year instead of $25. Doubt if it will cramp his lifestyle too severely.

[JohnR34231]

It probably isn't a particularly good idea, but somehow I think AL will come out of it OK.

Maybe he only gets $23 million a year instead of $25. Doubt if it will cramp his lifestyle too severely.

[Griffins78]

Doesn't the new NFL agreement constrain the amount top draft picks can be paid? If so, then there may be less experience needed to negotiate the initial rookie contract. This new era of contracts for top draft picks may require new, out of the box thinking and negotiating instead. Just a thought.

My sense is that a big part of the agent's role is helping to establish other marketing relationships - something that it seems his uncle and father are well positioned and have some experience in.

Finally, TRUST is the most important factor when selecting an agent or adviser.

[Griffins78]

Doesn't the new NFL agreement constrain the amount top draft picks can be paid? If so, then there may be less experience needed to negotiate the initial rookie contract. This new era of contracts for top draft picks may require new, out of the box thinking and negotiating instead. Just a thought.

My sense is that a big part of the agent's role is helping to establish other marketing relationships - something that it seems his uncle and father are well positioned and have some experience in.

Finally, TRUST is the most important factor when selecting an agent or adviser.

[Griffins78]

Doesn't the new NFL agreement constrain the amount top draft picks can be paid? If so, then there may be less experience needed to negotiate the initial rookie contract. This new era of contracts for top draft picks may require new, out of the box thinking and negotiating instead. Just a thought.

My sense is that a big part of the agent's role is helping to establish other marketing relationships - something that it seems his uncle and father are well positioned and have some experience in.

Finally, TRUST is the most important factor when selecting an agent or adviser.

[Griffins78]

Doesn't the new NFL agreement constrain the amount top draft picks can be paid? If so, then there may be less experience needed to negotiate the initial rookie contract. This new era of contracts for top draft picks may require new, out of the box thinking and negotiating instead. Just a thought.

My sense is that a big part of the agent's role is helping to establish other marketing relationships - something that it seems his uncle and father are well positioned and have some experience in.

Finally, TRUST is the most important factor when selecting an agent or adviser.

[Griffins78]

Doesn't the new NFL agreement constrain the amount top draft picks can be paid? If so, then there may be less experience needed to negotiate the initial rookie contract. This new era of contracts for top draft picks may require new, out of the box thinking and negotiating instead. Just a thought.

My sense is that a big part of the agent's role is helping to establish other marketing relationships - something that it seems his uncle and father are well positioned and have some experience in.

Finally, TRUST is the most important factor when selecting an agent or adviser.

[Griffins78]

Doesn't the new NFL agreement constrain the amount top draft picks can be paid? If so, then there may be less experience needed to negotiate the initial rookie contract. This new era of contracts for top draft picks may require new, out of the box thinking and negotiating instead. Just a thought.

My sense is that a big part of the agent's role is helping to establish other marketing relationships - something that it seems his uncle and father are well positioned and have some experience in.

Finally, TRUST is the most important factor when selecting an agent or adviser.

[OutsiderFan]

It doesn't seem to me Andrew Luck is a big endorsement guy.  That may change over time.  If Luck was a lesser known quantity that would require a really connected agent to sell him commercially, it would be a concern that he is going with someone with no agent experience.  The fact Luck is a household name means it will be easy to get phone calls returned on his behalf.

Anybody can be an agent. It's not rocket science.  Usually the challenge is getting the clients, and the new CBA has essentially taken negotiating out of the first contract a top draft pick has.  When Luck is at a point he would be signing a second deal, then he might consider a more experienced guy, but even then that really may not be all that necessary.  This seems like a tempest in a teapot to me.

[OutsiderFan]

It doesn't seem to me Andrew Luck is a big endorsement guy.  That may change over time.  If Luck was a lesser known quantity that would require a really connected agent to sell him commercially, it would be a concern that he is going with someone with no agent experience.  The fact Luck is a household name means it will be easy to get phone calls returned on his behalf.

Anybody can be an agent. It's not rocket science.  Usually the challenge is getting the clients, and the new CBA has essentially taken negotiating out of the first contract a top draft pick has.  When Luck is at a point he would be signing a second deal, then he might consider a more experienced guy, but even then that really may not be all that necessary.  This seems like a tempest in a teapot to me.

[OutsiderFan]

It doesn't seem to me Andrew Luck is a big endorsement guy.  That may change over time.  If Luck was a lesser known quantity that would require a really connected agent to sell him commercially, it would be a concern that he is going with someone with no agent experience.  The fact Luck is a household name means it will be easy to get phone calls returned on his behalf.

Anybody can be an agent. It's not rocket science.  Usually the challenge is getting the clients, and the new CBA has essentially taken negotiating out of the first contract a top draft pick has.  When Luck is at a point he would be signing a second deal, then he might consider a more experienced guy, but even then that really may not be all that necessary.  This seems like a tempest in a teapot to me.

[OutsiderFan]

It doesn't seem to me Andrew Luck is a big endorsement guy.  That may change over time.  If Luck was a lesser known quantity that would require a really connected agent to sell him commercially, it would be a concern that he is going with someone with no agent experience.  The fact Luck is a household name means it will be easy to get phone calls returned on his behalf.

Anybody can be an agent. It's not rocket science.  Usually the challenge is getting the clients, and the new CBA has essentially taken negotiating out of the first contract a top draft pick has.  When Luck is at a point he would be signing a second deal, then he might consider a more experienced guy, but even then that really may not be all that necessary.  This seems like a tempest in a teapot to me.

[OutsiderFan]

It doesn't seem to me Andrew Luck is a big endorsement guy.  That may change over time.  If Luck was a lesser known quantity that would require a really connected agent to sell him commercially, it would be a concern that he is going with someone with no agent experience.  The fact Luck is a household name means it will be easy to get phone calls returned on his behalf.

Anybody can be an agent. It's not rocket science.  Usually the challenge is getting the clients, and the new CBA has essentially taken negotiating out of the first contract a top draft pick has.  When Luck is at a point he would be signing a second deal, then he might consider a more experienced guy, but even then that really may not be all that necessary.  This seems like a tempest in a teapot to me.

[OutsiderFan]

It doesn't seem to me Andrew Luck is a big endorsement guy.  That may change over time.  If Luck was a lesser known quantity that would require a really connected agent to sell him commercially, it would be a concern that he is going with someone with no agent experience.  The fact Luck is a household name means it will be easy to get phone calls returned on his behalf.

Anybody can be an agent. It's not rocket science.  Usually the challenge is getting the clients, and the new CBA has essentially taken negotiating out of the first contract a top draft pick has.  When Luck is at a point he would be signing a second deal, then he might consider a more experienced guy, but even then that really may not be all that necessary.  This seems like a tempest in a teapot to me.

[washingtonismoney]

Actually, if you look at the guy's resume, he's very experienced in sports management:

Wilson spent the past four years as an executive for Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing. He also served in executive roles with the Arena Football League, Champ Car World Series and for 13 years with NFL International, including stops as managing director of NFL Mexico and general manager of the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe.

So I'm sure he can figure out how to negotiate a contract.

And while I'm sure Luck is the main appeal here, the soccer parts of his resume are surely appealing for the agency--with the sport growing in this country, more American players will be heading to Europe for big money, and more foreign players will be heading to MLS for opportunities. Wilson's well-connected for that too.

[washingtonismoney]

Actually, if you look at the guy's resume, he's very experienced in sports management:

Wilson spent the past four years as an executive for Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing. He also served in executive roles with the Arena Football League, Champ Car World Series and for 13 years with NFL International, including stops as managing director of NFL Mexico and general manager of the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe.

So I'm sure he can figure out how to negotiate a contract.

And while I'm sure Luck is the main appeal here, the soccer parts of his resume are surely appealing for the agency--with the sport growing in this country, more American players will be heading to Europe for big money, and more foreign players will be heading to MLS for opportunities. Wilson's well-connected for that too.

[washingtonismoney]

Actually, if you look at the guy's resume, he's very experienced in sports management:

Wilson spent the past four years as an executive for Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing. He also served in executive roles with the Arena Football League, Champ Car World Series and for 13 years with NFL International, including stops as managing director of NFL Mexico and general manager of the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe.

So I'm sure he can figure out how to negotiate a contract.

And while I'm sure Luck is the main appeal here, the soccer parts of his resume are surely appealing for the agency--with the sport growing in this country, more American players will be heading to Europe for big money, and more foreign players will be heading to MLS for opportunities. Wilson's well-connected for that too.

[washingtonismoney]

Actually, if you look at the guy's resume, he's very experienced in sports management:

Wilson spent the past four years as an executive for Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing. He also served in executive roles with the Arena Football League, Champ Car World Series and for 13 years with NFL International, including stops as managing director of NFL Mexico and general manager of the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe.

So I'm sure he can figure out how to negotiate a contract.

And while I'm sure Luck is the main appeal here, the soccer parts of his resume are surely appealing for the agency--with the sport growing in this country, more American players will be heading to Europe for big money, and more foreign players will be heading to MLS for opportunities. Wilson's well-connected for that too.

[washingtonismoney]

Actually, if you look at the guy's resume, he's very experienced in sports management:

Wilson spent the past four years as an executive for Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing. He also served in executive roles with the Arena Football League, Champ Car World Series and for 13 years with NFL International, including stops as managing director of NFL Mexico and general manager of the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe.

So I'm sure he can figure out how to negotiate a contract.

And while I'm sure Luck is the main appeal here, the soccer parts of his resume are surely appealing for the agency--with the sport growing in this country, more American players will be heading to Europe for big money, and more foreign players will be heading to MLS for opportunities. Wilson's well-connected for that too.

[washingtonismoney]

Actually, if you look at the guy's resume, he's very experienced in sports management:

Wilson spent the past four years as an executive for Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing. He also served in executive roles with the Arena Football League, Champ Car World Series and for 13 years with NFL International, including stops as managing director of NFL Mexico and general manager of the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe.

So I'm sure he can figure out how to negotiate a contract.

And while I'm sure Luck is the main appeal here, the soccer parts of his resume are surely appealing for the agency--with the sport growing in this country, more American players will be heading to Europe for big money, and more foreign players will be heading to MLS for opportunities. Wilson's well-connected for that too.

[FarmBoy]

My first thought was also that the first contract is potentially a no-brainer with the new CBA (which actually begs the question of why use an agent at all, and I think that many players in other sports have done their own first contracts.) But aside from the salary and bonus, are there other contingencies that need to be layered into the contract? Restrictions on use of Luck's image in promoting the team? Training camp requirements? Parking space guarantees? I don't know what they might be, not being an agent, but I'm sure there are a lot more issues that get layered into a contract that an expert agent will know how to manage.

Then there's the Elway/Eli Manning contingency of what do you do if you get drafted by a team you absolutely don't want to play for? I don't think Luck is the kind of guy to hold a team hostage, but there might be good reasons that he absolutely wouldn't want to play for the Colts or Rams, or whoever. What role does an agent who knows all the players at the table and can leverage his influence to make sure Luck lands in the right situation?

It just seems like there's more down side than up side to being the only NFL player that your agent has, let alone the entire agency.

[FarmBoy]

My first thought was also that the first contract is potentially a no-brainer with the new CBA (which actually begs the question of why use an agent at all, and I think that many players in other sports have done their own first contracts.) But aside from the salary and bonus, are there other contingencies that need to be layered into the contract? Restrictions on use of Luck's image in promoting the team? Training camp requirements? Parking space guarantees? I don't know what they might be, not being an agent, but I'm sure there are a lot more issues that get layered into a contract that an expert agent will know how to manage.

Then there's the Elway/Eli Manning contingency of what do you do if you get drafted by a team you absolutely don't want to play for? I don't think Luck is the kind of guy to hold a team hostage, but there might be good reasons that he absolutely wouldn't want to play for the Colts or Rams, or whoever. What role does an agent who knows all the players at the table and can leverage his influence to make sure Luck lands in the right situation?

It just seems like there's more down side than up side to being the only NFL player that your agent has, let alone the entire agency.

[FarmBoy]

My first thought was also that the first contract is potentially a no-brainer with the new CBA (which actually begs the question of why use an agent at all, and I think that many players in other sports have done their own first contracts.) But aside from the salary and bonus, are there other contingencies that need to be layered into the contract? Restrictions on use of Luck's image in promoting the team? Training camp requirements? Parking space guarantees? I don't know what they might be, not being an agent, but I'm sure there are a lot more issues that get layered into a contract that an expert agent will know how to manage.

Then there's the Elway/Eli Manning contingency of what do you do if you get drafted by a team you absolutely don't want to play for? I don't think Luck is the kind of guy to hold a team hostage, but there might be good reasons that he absolutely wouldn't want to play for the Colts or Rams, or whoever. What role does an agent who knows all the players at the table and can leverage his influence to make sure Luck lands in the right situation?

It just seems like there's more down side than up side to being the only NFL player that your agent has, let alone the entire agency.

[FarmBoy]

My first thought was also that the first contract is potentially a no-brainer with the new CBA (which actually begs the question of why use an agent at all, and I think that many players in other sports have done their own first contracts.) But aside from the salary and bonus, are there other contingencies that need to be layered into the contract? Restrictions on use of Luck's image in promoting the team? Training camp requirements? Parking space guarantees? I don't know what they might be, not being an agent, but I'm sure there are a lot more issues that get layered into a contract that an expert agent will know how to manage.

Then there's the Elway/Eli Manning contingency of what do you do if you get drafted by a team you absolutely don't want to play for? I don't think Luck is the kind of guy to hold a team hostage, but there might be good reasons that he absolutely wouldn't want to play for the Colts or Rams, or whoever. What role does an agent who knows all the players at the table and can leverage his influence to make sure Luck lands in the right situation?

It just seems like there's more down side than up side to being the only NFL player that your agent has, let alone the entire agency.

[FarmBoy]

My first thought was also that the first contract is potentially a no-brainer with the new CBA (which actually begs the question of why use an agent at all, and I think that many players in other sports have done their own first contracts.) But aside from the salary and bonus, are there other contingencies that need to be layered into the contract? Restrictions on use of Luck's image in promoting the team? Training camp requirements? Parking space guarantees? I don't know what they might be, not being an agent, but I'm sure there are a lot more issues that get layered into a contract that an expert agent will know how to manage.

Then there's the Elway/Eli Manning contingency of what do you do if you get drafted by a team you absolutely don't want to play for? I don't think Luck is the kind of guy to hold a team hostage, but there might be good reasons that he absolutely wouldn't want to play for the Colts or Rams, or whoever. What role does an agent who knows all the players at the table and can leverage his influence to make sure Luck lands in the right situation?

It just seems like there's more down side than up side to being the only NFL player that your agent has, let alone the entire agency.

[FarmBoy]

My first thought was also that the first contract is potentially a no-brainer with the new CBA (which actually begs the question of why use an agent at all, and I think that many players in other sports have done their own first contracts.) But aside from the salary and bonus, are there other contingencies that need to be layered into the contract? Restrictions on use of Luck's image in promoting the team? Training camp requirements? Parking space guarantees? I don't know what they might be, not being an agent, but I'm sure there are a lot more issues that get layered into a contract that an expert agent will know how to manage.

Then there's the Elway/Eli Manning contingency of what do you do if you get drafted by a team you absolutely don't want to play for? I don't think Luck is the kind of guy to hold a team hostage, but there might be good reasons that he absolutely wouldn't want to play for the Colts or Rams, or whoever. What role does an agent who knows all the players at the table and can leverage his influence to make sure Luck lands in the right situation?

It just seems like there's more down side than up side to being the only NFL player that your agent has, let alone the entire agency.

[FarmBoy]

The term "hostage" was probably not appropriately applied here. I am definitely of the mind that any player who has the leverage to negotiate there way out of an ugly program should use it. Whether it's Josh Childress signing with an Italian team to get away from the Hawks' monopoly, Elway using baseball to move to Denver, or Eli Manning essentially saying "f-you, I'll sit out a year and live at home" to the Chargers to get moved to the Giants, I have no problem with individuals raising their BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement.)

While the NFL draft is fun to watch, rookie free agency would be very interesting to watch. As long as there is an overall salary cap in place to maintain competitiveness across an entire league, I like the idea of allowing the market to determine salaries and allowing the players the freedom to go where they want.

[FarmBoy]

The term "hostage" was probably not appropriately applied here. I am definitely of the mind that any player who has the leverage to negotiate there way out of an ugly program should use it. Whether it's Josh Childress signing with an Italian team to get away from the Hawks' monopoly, Elway using baseball to move to Denver, or Eli Manning essentially saying "f-you, I'll sit out a year and live at home" to the Chargers to get moved to the Giants, I have no problem with individuals raising their BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement.)

While the NFL draft is fun to watch, rookie free agency would be very interesting to watch. As long as there is an overall salary cap in place to maintain competitiveness across an entire league, I like the idea of allowing the market to determine salaries and allowing the players the freedom to go where they want.

[FarmBoy]

The term "hostage" was probably not appropriately applied here. I am definitely of the mind that any player who has the leverage to negotiate there way out of an ugly program should use it. Whether it's Josh Childress signing with an Italian team to get away from the Hawks' monopoly, Elway using baseball to move to Denver, or Eli Manning essentially saying "f-you, I'll sit out a year and live at home" to the Chargers to get moved to the Giants, I have no problem with individuals raising their BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement.)

While the NFL draft is fun to watch, rookie free agency would be very interesting to watch. As long as there is an overall salary cap in place to maintain competitiveness across an entire league, I like the idea of allowing the market to determine salaries and allowing the players the freedom to go where they want.

[FarmBoy]

The term "hostage" was probably not appropriately applied here. I am definitely of the mind that any player who has the leverage to negotiate there way out of an ugly program should use it. Whether it's Josh Childress signing with an Italian team to get away from the Hawks' monopoly, Elway using baseball to move to Denver, or Eli Manning essentially saying "f-you, I'll sit out a year and live at home" to the Chargers to get moved to the Giants, I have no problem with individuals raising their BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement.)

While the NFL draft is fun to watch, rookie free agency would be very interesting to watch. As long as there is an overall salary cap in place to maintain competitiveness across an entire league, I like the idea of allowing the market to determine salaries and allowing the players the freedom to go where they want.