How To Become A Soccer Agent In South Africa

A soccer agent is a representative who handles the interests of a professional soccer player or players (the business and legal deals, in most cases).

Can anyone be a soccer agent?

You need to be both a professional and a friend. As a football agent, you can work independently, for a sports agent or for a law firm specializing in sporting contracts. Some football clubs even employ agents to recruit players for them.

What is the role of a soccer agent?

In football, an agent is a representative and intermediary who handles the interests of a player or multiple players. An agent’s core responsibilities include: Negotiating contracts to achieve the best possible outcome for their client. Securing lucrative endorsement and sponsorship deals.

Do soccer players pay agents?

representation contract, the player’s agent will usually negotiate that the club pays the agent’s commission on the player’s behalf. … However, the club paying an amount on a player’s behalf is classed as a benefit in kind by the tax authorities and the player will pay tax on the payment made by the club to the agent.

Education Requirements to Become a Soccer Agent

Candidates who have a Bachelor’s degree and experience are looked at more favorably by athletic marketing organizations.

A student who wants to become a Soccer Agent should attend an accredited Bachelor’s program.

Students can study from the following majors in order to become a Soccer Agent: Business, Marketing, Fitness, Sports Management or Wellness.

A student who wants to become a Soccer Agent will learn a variety of information when they join and complete a Sports Management degree.

Some typical courses in a Sports Management program will prepare candidates with the necessary business and management techniques they can apply to their clients’ careers and the sports industry.

The types of courses a student can expect to take during a Sports Management program include: Business Communication, Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Business Law, sports negotiations and sports contracts.

In addition, a candidate should seek an internship with an athletic center or a sports agency in order to learn the ropes firsthand.

Many professional sports leagues, including U.S.

Soccer, require agents and representatives to seek licensure in order to represent any professional athletes.

This regulation has been implemented by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).

To learn more information about Player Agents licensure and for an application, visit S.A

Soccer’s website.

Soccer Agent Job Description

Soccer Agents may work for athletic marketing organizations.

These agencies can represent a variety of professional athletes sometimes from a variety of sports.

A Soccer Agent would be responsible for handling the following aspects of a soccer athlete’s career:

Representation

Contracts

Finances

Negotiations

A Soccer Agent would act for and seek work for their athletes by meeting with sports teams or possible sponsorship opportunities.

A soccer player may have to meet with the team to determine a fit and negotiate any changes through their Soccer Agent.

A Soccer agent may negotiate a variety of concerns regarding a contract in order to provide the most beneficial agreement for their client.

The type of concerns may include compensation or the length of contract.

In addition to finding the perfect team for their client, Soccer Agents may also try to find other types of contracts and compensations for their clients.

This type of work may only be offered to popular athletes, but a Soccer Agent would still represent and negotiate contracts for their client.

Soccer Agent Salary and Career Path

The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn?t report exact wages for Soccer Agent professionals.

However it does report figures for similar professions.

The median wage for professional scouting representatives was R 416859.02

The salary range for these experts was approximately R 228315.01to R 922098.04.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports salary information on agents from several specialties and industries including sports, music and movies.

The average wage for all agents was approximately R 1310970.05per year.

The prospect for Soccer Agents looks good as the sports industry employs a large amount of these professionals.

The entertainment and sports industries hire about 40% of agents.

In addition, employment growth for these professionals is expected to increase through the year

As a result of FIFA’s decision to introduce new Rules & Regulations relating to soccer agents in 2015, learning how to be a soccer agent in South Africa has been made easier. As a result of FIFA’s changes, SAFA responded by introducing changes to its own Rules & Regulations to comply with FIFA’s.

SAFA introduced and approved the Regulations on Working with Intermediaries . The new Rules & Regulations focus specifically on transactions involving Intermediaries and players and/or clubs in South Africa. In relation to the registration of Intermediaries, the document states:

Intermediaries must be registered in the relevant registration system every time they are individually involved in a specific transaction. 

Clubs and players who engage the services of an Intermediary are required to submit the Intermediary Declaration when doing business with or through an Intermediary. Furthermore, a professional player who engages the services of an Intermediary must provide the following documents to the relevant member association when entering into an employment contract with a new club:

The relevant Intermediary Declaration;

Any other documentation required by the member association (the League if applicable) or SAFA such as certified proof of residence; certified copy of identification document; and

The representation contract between the Player and Intermediary.

A player who has requested the services of an Intermediary to re-negotiate a contract with an existing club on his behalf must submit the above documents to the member association of his current club.

A club requesting the services of an Intermediary to assist in concluding a transfer agreement between two clubs are required to submit the following documentation to the member association of the club following the conclusion of the relevant transaction:

The Intermediary Declaration;

Any other documentation required by the member association (or the League, if applicable, or SAFA) such as certified proof of residence; certified copy of identification document; and

A written agreement between Club and Intermediary for services rendered (paragraph 4.6).

Under Section 5 of the SAFA Regulations, in terms of registering Intermediaries, the Regulations state that in addition to the information provided by the player or club, SAFA, the member association, or the League will be entitled to conduct investigations to establish if an Intermediary has an impeccable reputation.

Where the Intermediary is a company, the member association responsible for registering the transaction shall satisfy itself that the individuals representing the company have an impeccable reputation.

A member association must also be satisfied, before registering an Intermediary, that the Intermediary does not have any contractual relationship with “leagues, associations, confederations, the League, SAFA, or FIFA that could lead to a potential conflict of interest” (paragraph 5.3.).

SAFA Player Agent Application Form

SAFA and/or the League and/or member associations shall have complied with their obligations in relation to registering soccer agents where they have received the relevant Intermediary Declaration that has been signed by the party concerned. The Declaration that needs to be signed depends on whether an applicant is an individual or company:

For individuals: Intermediary Declaration Annexe A;

For companies: Intermediary Declaration Annexe B.

A copy of the representation contract entered into between the parties (Intermediary and/or a club) must also be submitted to the member association concerned when the registration of the Intermediary takes place.

On the whole, it is clear from the above procedure that there is no official training or examination that a person has to take to become a registered soccer agent in South Africa. However, SAFA states explicitly that:

Is it hard to become a sports agent In South Africa?

Becoming a sports agent takes plenty of hard work and dedication.

First and foremost, if you plan to be a sports agent, you’ll definitely need to pursue higher education. On average, most sports agents need to have at least a Bachelor’s degree.

How much do soccer agents take In South Africa?

Generally, a sports agent earns between 4 and 10 percent of an athlete’s playing contract, though some leagues place limits on what percentage an agent can charge in commission.

How do you get a sports agent for soccer In South Africa?

How to Find Your Sports Agent

Ask fellow athletes and professional level personnel for referrals.

Hold out for the best.

Perform a background check.

Utilize the Sports Agent Directory.

Don’t sign on the dotted line just yet.

Make sure the agent is adept at CBA’s and is well connected.

Is it hard to become a sports agent In South Africa?

Becoming a sports agent takes plenty of hard work and dedication. On average, most sports agents need to have at least a Bachelor’s degree. The most beneficial courses to take for becoming a sports agent include marketing and business management.

Do you need to be a lawyer to be a sports agent In South Africa?

A law degree is not necessary to become a sports agent. The advantage of having a law degree, if you have taken and passed a state bar exam, is that you can give legal advice regarding contracts the athlete is required to sign.

Do footballers pay their agents In South Africa?

representation contract, the player’s agent will usually negotiate that the club pays the agent’s commission on the player’s behalf. However, the club paying an amount on a player’s behalf is classed as a benefit in kind by the tax authorities and the player will pay tax on the payment made by the club to the agent.

What should I study to become a sports agent In South Africa?

To become a sports agent and work with those clients, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in business, law or sports management as well as experience and a license.

How many years does it take to become a sports agent In South Africa?

Usually, to become a sports agent, it takes about 8 years or more to gain education and experience of 5 years long before gaining the first position as a sports agent. A bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement to land on this job, however, to advance your career you can continue higher education.

How do I become a sports agent without a degree In South Africa?

Sports Agent Education

Generally speaking, there aren’t any degree requirements to become a sports agent. Though since the industry is so competitive, agents typically have at least a bachelor’s degree. The top sports agents are usually holders of a master’s degree and many have a law degree.

What skills do sports agents need In South Africa?

Five Most Important Characteristics for Sports Agents

Business Acumen. Sports agents are responsible for the business side of athlete employment contracts, so they need to possess strong business skills to act effectively in this capacity.

Social Intelligence.

Negotiation Skills.

Passion for Sports.

Good Public Image.

Do you have to travel as a sports agent In South Africa?

Sports marketing pros may have to travel a lot to represent professional and college teams or athletes. Sports managers do not typically take charge of contract negotiations as this is a function of the sports agent.

Do you need qualifications to be a football agent In South Africa?

To be a football agent, you do not need any formal qualifications. You simply need to have successfully registered with the Football Association. However, due to the complex legal side of the role, many football agents were previously lawyers or had trained as lawyers, as this allows them the best chance of success.