I interviewed Tsubasa Kee for approximately 40 minutes to gain further insight into the world of being a sports agent. Tsubasa is very knowledgeable in the world of sports having friends who play in the NFL and the NBA.
Tsubasa Kee known as T.K., is currently working at Sports Management Worldwide, in Portland Oregon as an athlete advisor /manager. As well, he is the founder and President of 1st class Athletes, a managerial company. T.K graduated from Washington State University in Pullman, WA and with a Masters degree from Concordia University in Chicago. (smwwagency, 2011)
My first question to T.K was, what made him interested in this job as a sports agent? He told me that a bunch of his friends play in the NFL pro league and they encouraged him to do it. Also, the film Jerry Maguire was an inspiring movie that excited him to pursuing his dream of sports agent. He said when asked as a little kid what he wanted to be when grows up the answer was always a sports agent.
The third question was the following: Do you think I have a chance, as a female to become a sports agent in a primarily male dominated career? T.K immediately was like sure you have a chance as there are many women representing NFL athletes. T.K. gave examples of a player who was represented by a woman sports agent and his name is Doug Flutie.
The fourth question was, is it difficult to be licensed with the NFL? His answer was absolutely yes its is very difficult. T.K. elaborated on this telling me exactly the procedures and costs associated with becoming a sports agent. He stipulated that there is a $2,000 non-refundable fee to apply and one must have the pre-requisites to even be considered-as in a Masters or Doctorate Degree. Then one must fly to Washington D.C. to write a four hour-long intensive exam much like the L.S.A.T exam that is a pre-requisite for law school. Also, there’s the $1,700 for insurance and bonding fee plus $5,000 for regulatory fees. Thus, one is looking at around $10,000 to be licensed sports agent with the NFL.
I informed T.K. that I was in law school last year and asked him if after completing my Masters Degree would it be necessary to go back to law school to become a sports agent? He said that wasn’t necessary for one to have a background in law, and how he learned contract law was on the Internet looking up various laws relating to contracts.
What entry-level jobs are best for learning as much as possible about being agent? T.K. emphasized the importance of a non-paid internship to getting ones foot in the door. He related it to becoming an attorney there are many steps before one is made a partner and therefore one must start ground level as an associate agent.
The final question I asked was how do you see the work of an agent changing? He asked me to clarify and I rephrased and said now with the football season back on and the lockout done how is it different? He said that the lockout went on for approx. four months and now that football is back on and the lockout over they are so very busy with singing veteran contracts, undrafted contracts too.
I ended the interview by telling T.K. how thankful I was that he took the time to let me interview him for my school. Overall this was an amazing interview as I learned a lot of insight about being a sports agent and he has inspired me to be strong in my future negotiations.
2. http://www.smwwagency.com/vision_and_mission. Retrieved on July 28,2011
No comments:
Post a Comment