COMPLIANCE TIP OF THE WEEK

Agents & Amateurism

Per NCAA legislation only an amateur student-athlete is eligible for intercollegiate athletics participation. A student-athlete may jeopardize his/her amateur status if he/she has inappropriate contact with an agent or his/her representatives. Please keep the following in mind if agents or their representatives contact a student-athlete or their parents in an attempt to persuade them to allow them to represent the student-athlete’s athletics interests.

• A student-athlete MAY NOT agree, either orally or in writing, to be represented by an agent for the purpose of marketing his/her athletics ability or reputation in a sport. In addition, it is not permissible for a student-athlete to enter into a verbal or written agreement with an agent for representation in future professional sports negotiations once his/her collegiate eligibility has expired in that sport.

• Student-athletes (or their relatives or friends) MAY NOT accept transportation or other benefits (e.g., dinner, lodging) from anyone who wishes to represent their athletic interests.

• A student-athlete MAY NOT enter into any kind of agreement to compete in professional athletics, either orally or in writing, regardless of the legal enforceability of that agreement.

• Student-athletes MAY NOT receive any type of pay or compensation for play (either directly or indirectly).

• Student-athletes MAY NOT be involved in any commercial endorsements for a product, service or establishment.

It is permissible for a student-athlete to secure legal advice from a lawyer concerning a proposed, professional sports contract, provided the lawyer DOES NOT represent the student-athlete in negotiations for such a contract. A lawyer may not be present during discussions of a contract offer with a professional organization or have any direct contact (in person, by telephone or by mail) with a professional sports organization on behalf of the student-athlete. A lawyer’s presence during such discussions is considered representation by an agent. A student-athlete may inquire of a professional sports organization about eligibility for professional league player draft or request information about his/her market value without affecting his or her amateur status. For more information on agents and amateurism please visit the NCAA website atwww.ncaa.org.

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Laurel Hanson, Compliance Assistant

The University of Montana

Department of Intercollegiate Athletics

(406) 243-5729 (Phone) | (406) 243-2264 (Fax)