Great article about the behind the scenes of an NFL Agent

J-Mike88 · 10-12-2010, 01:00 PM

Some very touchy (and illegal) things here.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...html?eref=sihp

Great read.

NY+Giants=NYG · 10-12-2010, 01:20 PM

Very good read! I could never be agent and do stuff I knew was wrong. Hence I'd probably not make a very good one. I feel bad for the guy, especially what Ryan Leaf did to him.

Rosebud · 10-12-2010, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Almost instantly we got some new clients, including troubled Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett (for whom we did some of our best work; a player no team should have touched got taken in the third round)

My favorite part of the article so far.

prock · 10-12-2010, 02:04 PM

That was a very good read. I have been looking into the sports industry for quite some time now, and for a time was thinking of agenting, but it isn't happening, especially after reading this.

J-Mike88 · 10-12-2010, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prock

That was a very good read. I have been looking into the sports industry for quite some time now, and for a time was thinking of agenting, but it isn't happening, especially after reading this.

Yeah, it's certainly not as glamourous as Jerry McGwire or Drew Rosenhaus lead us to believe.

I think a guy needs a case of Tums or Prevacid if in this business. And no conscience would help too.

Santonio Holmes denies it all, LOL. Dude was probably stoned his whole college career, can't remember anything.

bigbluedefense · 10-12-2010, 03:15 PM

It's a dirty business.

Interesting to see if Kiper loses any credibility bc of this article.

Complex · 10-12-2010, 03:56 PM

Quote:

If you were a good player at UCLA, I made a run at you. I tried to get can't-miss NFL left tackle prospect Jonathan Ogden as a client, but he wouldn't take my money. He did, however, go with me to a Janet Jackson concert. My girlfriend got two tickets, and I told her, "Sorry, I need those tickets for J.O. He's a big Janet Jackson fan." Instead of going to the concert with my girlfriend, I went with a 6'9" guy who weighed more than 300 pounds and who screamed "Janet!" the whole night like a teenage girl.

and this

Quote:

I tried to pay UCLA's J.J. Stokes and USC's Keyshawn Johnson, and they said, "No."

Thought that was funny

J-Mike88 · 10-12-2010, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbluedefense

It's a dirty business.

Interesting to see if Kiper loses any credibility bc of this article.

ESPN is already looking into it, I just read on twitter.
McShay may take on a more prominent role sooner than later.....

Vox Populi · 10-12-2010, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbluedefense

It's a dirty business.

Interesting to see if Kiper loses any credibility bc of this article.

Did you read the responses at the end? Kiper addresses it directly.

Definitely a good read, very interesting stuff.

niel89 · 10-12-2010, 04:43 PM

That Ogden part made me laugh too.

The truth is that being an agent is a tough dirty business.

J-Mike88 · 10-12-2010, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vox Populi

Did you read the responses at the end? Kiper addresses it directly.

Sure, that's what Kiper says.
http://www.theredzone.org/BlogDescri...d/Default.aspx

Quote:

Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post reports that based upon a Sports Illustrated article which includes details of agent Gary Wichard and Mel Kiper Jr.'s releationship, ESPN is looking into those dealing for a potential conflict of interest.

Their relationship could present an ethical dilemma for the all-sports network.

"We just learned of the story today and are looking into it," ESPN said in a statement.

Agent Josh Luchs references Wichard allegedly having Kiper call during a meeting with Stanford defensive tackle Willie Howard.

"Gary and I were talking to Willie in Gary's office when Gary's phone rang, and he put it on speakerphone," Luchs wrote. "'Viper, how are you?' Gary said. That's what he called Mel, Viper or Vipe. 'Viper, I'm sitting here with the best defensive lineman in college football. Do you know who that is?' You must be with Willie Howard,' Mel said."

Giantsfan1080 · 10-12-2010, 05:00 PM

If this article means I have to listen to McShay even more then I'll be very upset.

J-Mike88 · 10-12-2010, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giantsfan1080

If this article means I have to listen to McShay even more then I'll be very upset.

It's leading us to more NFL Network coverage perhaps....

Giantsfan1080 · 10-12-2010, 05:06 PM

Well I don't get NFL Network so that's a problem for me.

BigBanger · 10-12-2010, 05:25 PM

Mel Kiper is damn near untouchable. He is the Godfather of the NFL Draft and he's the only reason it is what it is today. His name being brought up was the only real surprise.

Great read though. Nothing too surprising. Santonio Holmes denying some illegal activities?!?!?!?! Shocker!!

brat316 · 10-12-2010, 07:57 PM

Key Johnson not accepting the money but when he got to the NFL man was he crazzzy.

TitanHope · 10-12-2010, 08:06 PM

Nothing's gonna happen with Kiper. Whether you like him or not, he's the face of the NFL Draft. ESPN "looking into it" basically means, "Looking into it and then swiftly sweeping it under the rug." Guy's been there forever and is pretty valuable to them come offseason.

yourfavestoner · 10-12-2010, 08:10 PM

I'd rather be an agent than a scout. And a superagent instead of a GM.

J-Mike88 · 10-12-2010, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanHope

Nothing's gonna happen with Kiper. Whether you like him or not, he's the face of the NFL Draft. ESPN "looking into it" basically means, "Looking into it and then swiftly sweeping it under the rug." Guy's been there forever and is pretty valuable to them come offseason.

I agree. But you never know with corporate sometimes.

Anyone here ever hear of Fred Edelstein?
Jimmy the Greek?

BeerBaron · 10-12-2010, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yourfavestoner

I'd rather be an agent than a scout. And a superagent instead of a GM.

Really? Being an agent is basically like salesman...something I just can't do. I worked for my school's phonathon for one day, had nightmares, and quit the next day.

The money may not be as good but I'd much rather be a scout.

Rosebud · 10-12-2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yourfavestoner

I'd rather be an agent than a scout. And a superagent instead of a GM.

Agreed on the first but not the second. I just couldn't pass up the chance to actually GM a team and try and see what I could build.

yourfavestoner · 10-12-2010, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosebud

Agreed on the first but not the second. I just couldn't pass up the chance to actually GM a team and try and see what I could build.

I think being GM would be a much better and more enjoying job than being a superagent. But I think the path to being a superagent would be much, much more enjoyable than the path to being a GM.

Let's face it, though, Mel Kiper has the best job in the business. He's paid handsomely, he's his own brand, he pretty much works for himself, and nobody really cares about his mistakes because people are more focused on the next year's draft.

Rosebud · 10-12-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yourfavestoner

I think being GM would be a much better and more enjoying job than being a superagent. But I think the path to being a superagent would be much, much more enjoyable than the path to being a GM.

Let's face it, though, Mel Kiper has the best job in the business. He's paid handsomely, he's his own brand, he pretty much works for himself, and nobody really cares about his mistakes because people are more focused on the next year's draft.

I'll agree with that first paragraph, as for Mel's job I wouldn't like it, all he can do is study players, he doesn't actually create anything or get to test his knowledge.

Brent · 10-12-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yourfavestoner

I think being GM would be a much better and more enjoying job than being a superagent. But I think the path to being a superagent would be much, much more enjoyable than the path to being a GM.

Let's face it, though, Mel Kiper has the best job in the business. He's paid handsomely, he's his own brand, he pretty much works for himself, and nobody really cares about his mistakes because people are more focused on the next year's draft.

I'd rather be a position coach.

MetSox17 · 10-13-2010, 12:34 AM

Not surprised at all by all of this, though i love these kinda stories. Wish there was more of em similar to this one. But yeah, anyone who is shocked at the stuff that's said in the article is really naive. Every single program out there has people funneling money to their players. Agents, alumni, boosters, they're all paying kids. Texas is one of the cleanest programs out there, and a buddy of mine once hooked up with Jermichael Finley's ex girlfriend in Austin. She told him boosters would write checks in her name to cash and give to j-mike.