The Emergent Practices of English Football Agents

Abstract

Tasked with managing financial affairs, agents are commonly in the media spotlight during high-profile transfers and contract negotiations. The industry has evolved into one of the most misunderstood parts of the game. This research originates at a time of deregulation and lower entry barriers making it timely to explore the developing world of agent practices. The data collection in 2018, involved interviews with 20 agents who had responsibilities for 114 professional players. Participants had a minimum of two years’ experience and represented players within English football. The analysis identified “Image Development,” “Financial Planning,” “Relationship Building” and “Constructive Counselling” as the emergent themes that illustrated agent’s practices. The findings present evidence that the agent industry has experienced a significant period of evolution with those involved becoming increasingly specialised in their practices to facilitate transactions, as clients continue to expect the highest level of individual service, often unrelated to “on-field” performances.

Keywords:

• Football Agent
• agent-player relationships
• FIFA agent regulation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michael Green

Michael Green (MA Sport Management, University of the West of England) is a Senior Lecturer Sport Management at Hartpury University. Major accomplishments include Programme Manager of the BA (Hons) Sports Business Management and senior fellow of the higher education teaching academy. Previous research includes a publication related to athlete use of social media when developing personal brands and guest editor for a special issue of Managing Sport and Leisure looking into what extent football organisations and networks allow individuals to thrive. Current research interests explore how key sporting stakeholders produce their 'best self' through a blend of achievement, growth, support and continuous learning.

Tony Ghaye

Tony Ghaye (Ph.D., University of London) is a Professor, Institute of Sport Business & Leadership, at Loughborough University in London. Major accomplishments include 14 academic text books about improving practice, leadership development and wellbeing & 135 academic papers in the fields of strength-based practices that enhance wellbeing and have positive human benefit. Current research interests all explore how our 'best self' is a blend of achievement, growth, support and continuous learning. He is currently the Lead Investigator of an international and multidisciplinary project called U MATTER which focuses on the psychology of human significance.