Getting to Know You — Quick snapshot

• Which statement best describes where you are in your athletic journey today? Options: College athlete considering draft, I have declared for the draft, Rookie / first pro contract, Approaching free agency, Approaching contract extension, Mid-career looking to switch representation, Late-career / planning retirement, Other
• Why are you exploring representation right now? (briefly describe the trigger or event)
• Tell us your target timeline for major decisions (draft night, free agency, extension window, etc.). Options: Immediate (next 30 days), Short-term (30–90 days), Medium (3–6 months), Longer-term (6+ months), Flexible / Unsure
• Who currently supports your off-field decisions? (select all that apply) Options: Parent(s)/family, Agent/representative, Attorney, Financial advisor, College coach/athletic director, Manager/mentor, I manage things myself, Other
• If you've worked with an agent before, what did you most value — and what disappointed you? If never, what concerns you most about hiring one?

If Nothing Changes, Where Do You End Up?

• What’s the single worst outcome that happens if you don’t change your representation or approach this cycle? Options: Missed market value on contract, Unfavorable contract terms or guarantees, Lost endorsement opportunities, Poor long-term financial planning, Mismatch with team/role, Damaged brand or reputation, Other
• How often have these risks happened to you or someone close to you in the past? Options: Never, Once, A few times, Frequently, Ongoing problem
• When those risks materialize, how does it typically affect you emotionally and practically?
• What small, tolerated frustrations are you quietly accepting now because you think they're unavoidable?
• How much time or value would you say you've lost previously due to delayed or poor representation decisions? Options: Insignificant, A few weeks or minor value, Noticeable (tens of thousands), Significant (hundreds of thousands+), Major career impact

What Would Winning Feel Like?

• Imagine the ideal contract and off-field portfolio a year from now—what are the headline outcomes you want to be able to brag about?
• Which of these outcomes matter most to you right now? (pick up to three) Options: Maximize guaranteed money, Maximize total contract value, More playing time / starting role, Specific team destination, High-profile endorsements, Long-term financial security, Brand growth / media presence, Legacy and post-career opportunities
• What are three non-negotiables you will not accept in a deal or partnership?
• How will you measure that you're succeeding? (specific signals we should track: e.g., guaranteed dollars, number of endorsements, minutes played, PR sentiment)
• If we had to pick one primary objective to prioritize in negotiations this cycle, which should it be? Options: Guaranteed money / security, Maximum upside, Best team fit / role, Timing for free agency leverage, Brand/endorsement growth, Other

Who Holds the Decision Power — The Real Panel

• Who are the decision-makers who must buy in for you to sign with an agency, and who typically has the final say? Options: Athlete (you), Parent(s)/family, Financial advisor, Attorney, Close mentor/coach, College AD/coach (for current students), Other
• For each person you selected, what is their primary concern or objective (e.g., security, maximum earnings, brand safety)?
• Are there any relationships (team execs, college staff, sponsors) that could complicate or accelerate the decision? Please explain.
• How do family dynamics shape your timeline or willingness to take risks (e.g., need for immediate support, desire for legacy planning)?
• How quickly do decision-makers typically respond during a high-pressure window (e.g., draft week, free agency day)? Options: Immediately (hours), Within a day, 2–3 days, A week or more, Varies / unpredictable

Money, Risk, and the Way You Sleep at Night

• Would you trade some upside for guaranteed security, or do you prefer chasing the maximum potential even if it’s riskier? Options: Prefer security (guarantees first), Balanced approach, Chase upside (maximize total value)
• What percentage of an ideal first contract would need to be guaranteed to make you feel secure? Options: 25% or less, 26–50%, 51–75%, 76–100%, I don't know / want advice
• Do you currently work with a financial planner or advisor? If yes, how involved are they in your contract decisions? Options: No advisor, Yes—advises on long-term planning only, Yes—actively involved in contract decisions, Yes—handles day-to-day finances
• Describe your biggest financial fear or worst-case scenario if representation fails.
• How important is post-career planning (investments, business setup, education) in your decision to choose representation? Options: Top priority, Important but not primary, Somewhat important, Not important right now

Contracts, Clauses and What’s Lurking in the Fine Print

• When you look at your current or most recent contract, what clause or term would you change first and why?
• What is the official end date or trigger (option year, free agency window) on your current contract?
• Which contract elements matter most to you? (select all that apply) Options: Guaranteed salary, Signing bonus structure, Injury protection language, Roster bonuses, No-trade / trade protections, Performance incentives, Endorsement carve-outs
• Have you experienced contract disputes, withheld payments, or claim denials before? Please summarize what happened. Options: No, Yes—minor issue resolved, Yes—significant unresolved issue, Prefer to discuss privately
• Are there existing agreements (endorsements, NIL deals, brand deals) that a new agency would need to honor or navigate? Options: Yes—multiple active deals, Yes—one active deal, No current deals, Unsure / need to audit

Your Brand: What Feels Authentic and What Doesn’t

• Which three words should instantly describe your public image or brand?
• Which types of endorsement partners are a great fit—and which would you absolutely avoid? Options: Apparel / footwear, Tech / gaming, Financial services, Alcohol / adult beverages, Health / supplements, Local community brands, Political or controversial brands, Other
• Have you had prior endorsement offers that you turned down? If so, what led you to say no?
• How involved do you want to be in the creative direction of brand work (full creative control, collaborative, hands-off)? Options: Full control, Collaborative, Hands-off / trust the team
• What platforms or channels feel most authentic for you to build your brand (social, podcasts, local community events, TV appearances)? Options: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Podcast interviews, Local events / appearances, Traditional media (TV/print), Other

How We’ll Work Together — Expectations and Boundaries

• What’s one behavior or outcome from an agent that would make you terminate the relationship within 90 days?
• How often and by which channels would you like updates during active negotiations? Options: Daily via text, Daily via call, Every few days via email, Weekly summary, Only at milestones
• When a tough decision arises (team trade-off, lower guaranteed offers), how do you prefer we structure the recommendation? (directive, pros/cons with your input, present options and you decide) Options: Directive—clear recommendation, Pros and cons—collaborative, Present options—you decide
• What boundaries should we respect (e.g., no late-night calls, no public statements without approval, specific privacy limits)?
• Who should be CC’d on major communications (family, advisor, attorney, only you)? Options: Only you, Parent(s)/family, Financial advisor, Attorney, Manager/mentor, Other

Timing, Immediate Needs, and Next Steps

• If no action is taken in the next 30 days, what concrete opportunity could you miss?
• Are there hard deadlines or upcoming events we need to plan around (draft date, combine, team windows, contract opt-outs)? Select all that apply. Options: NFL/NBA/NHL combine/pro day, Draft declaration date, Free agency opening, Contract opt-out deadline, Sponsor activation window, Media commitments, No immediate deadlines
• Which documents can you share immediately to speed assessment (current contract summary, endorsement agreements, financial plan)? Options: Contract summary, Full contract, Endorsement agreements, Financial plan / advisor contact, None available right now
• When would be the best time to schedule a 45-minute alignment call with all decision-makers? Options: Within 48 hours, This week, Next week, In 2–4 weeks, Flexible / need to coordinate
• Is there anything else we should know that would change how we approach your representation search?

• Current State & Risk Brief
• Market Valuation & Comparable Scenarios
• Negotiation Playbook Workshop
• Brand Activation & Endorsement Strategy
• Integration & Validation Review (Decision Meeting)

• Compile prioritized sponsor contact list and draft tailored outreach templates for the top targets.
• Select and approve the baseline negotiation scenario (best/target/worst) for use in the playbook.
• Rank endorsement scenarios and designate primary outreach targets for the next meeting.
• Restate Target Success Signals
• Produce a written negotiation playbook that maps to the baseline scenario and measurable success signals.
• Clarify red lines and fallback positions so the negotiating lead can act decisively within agreed boundaries.
• Set a negotiation timeline and communications plan tied to KPIs to prove movement toward the future state.
• Draft the formal negotiation playbook and term-sheet template for sign-off.
• Assign the lead negotiator and backup, and distribute talking points and escalation matrix.
• Prepare a public/media posture brief to be used if negotiation becomes public.
• Brand Narrative & Audience Review
• Agree on the top endorsement scenario(s) and estimated incremental revenue contribution to the athlete's total compensation.
• Define required endorsement contract terms and ensure they do not conflict with negotiation objectives or existing deals.
• Create an activation roadmap with measurable KPIs to validate sponsor performance post-signing.
• Introductions & Purpose
• Draft an endorsement LOI template with required clauses and conflict mitigations.
• Schedule introductory sponsor meetings and assign owner for each outreach.
• One-line Current State & Consequence Recap
• Achieve formal stakeholder sign-off on the negotiation playbook and endorsement plan.
• Assign clear owners and timelines for negotiation and sponsor outreach execution.
• Agree on KPIs, reporting cadence, and contingency triggers to validate progress toward the future state.
• Produce a single sign-off document summarizing agreed scenario, KPIs, owners, and timelines for execution.
• Initiate contract negotiation outreach and first sponsor contact per the prioritized list.
• Set up a weekly monitoring cadence and dashboarding owner to report progress against KPIs.
• Produce one agreed, one-sentence current-state statement that will drive all scenario work.
• Quantify the primary consequences (financial, timing, reputational) of taking no action or pursuing suboptimal representation.
• Identify and secure the source documents and metrics needed for valuation and scenario-building.
• Collect and upload full copies of current player contracts, endorsement agreements, and compensation statements.
• Assign owner to gather brand metrics (audience, engagement, CPM estimates) and recent media samples.
• Produce a one-line current-state and consequence memo and distribute for sign-off.
• Recap Current State & Consequence
• Agree on a defensible market-value range and a single baseline scenario to guide negotiation.
• Identify the endorsement scenario most likely to materially increase total compensation within the negotiation window.
• Ensure all valuation assumptions are documented and accepted (or flagged) by stakeholders.
• Finalize the valuation spreadsheet with source links to comparables and circulate to stakeholders.
• One-sentence Current State
• Scenario-to-Term Mapping
• Comparable Market Analysis
• Review Chosen Negotiation Scenario & Playbook
• Sponsor-fit Scenarios with Economics
• Tactics & Leverage Discussion
• Contract Terms & Conflict Check
• Review Chosen Endorsement Plan
• Negotiation Scenario Modeling
• Contract & Compensation Audit
• Endorsement Valuation Scenarios
• Quantified Future-State Outcomes & KPIs
• Red Lines & Deal-breakers
• Proof Points & Validation
• Brand & Market Snapshot
• Activation Roadmap & Measurement
• Communication & Timeline Plan
• Consequence Quantification
• Assumptions Review & Sensitivity
• Sign-off, Owners & Next Steps
• Validation Checkpoint
• Validation & Agreement
• Contingency & Escalation Plan

• Negotiate league player contracts
• Negotiate contract extensions and option years
• Secure endorsement and sponsorship agreements
• Manage endorsement payments and deliverables reconciliation
• Negotiate NIL and college sponsorship agreements
• Implement investment account transfers and allocations
• Provide ongoing portfolio management
• Establish trusts, wills, and estate documents
• Procure career-ending and disability insurance policies
• Register trademarks and execute IP licensing deals
• Submit international transfer and work visa filings
• Represent athletes in contract disputes and arbitration
• Launch athlete merchandising and e-commerce stores

Negotiate league player contracts

• Do you currently have a team contract or an expiring contract that needs negotiation? Options: Yes, No, Not yet signed
• What is the target timeline for completing contract negotiations? Options: Immediate (days), Short-term (1-4 weeks), Seasonal window (e.g., free agency), Long-term planning (2+ months)
• Which leagues and levels should we negotiate in (e.g., NFL, NBA, MLS, international)? Options: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, European/International, Other
• Are there specific non-standard terms you need (guarantees, no-trade clauses, roster bonuses, opt-outs)? List them.
• Who are the decision-makers we should engage during negotiations (athlete, family member, financial advisor, other agent)? Options: Athlete, Parent/Family, Financial Advisor, Existing Counsel, Other
• What outcomes will you use to accept a negotiated contract (salary floor, guaranteed money, role, length)? Please specify acceptance criteria.

Negotiate contract extensions and option years

• Is the objective to negotiate a contract extension with the current team or to pursue offers from other teams? Options: Extension with current team, Field offers from other teams, Either, depending on terms
• Which option years, triggers, or team/player options exist in the current agreement? Options: Player option, Team option, Mutual option, No options, Unsure - need audit
• What are your priority trade-offs (term vs. annual average value vs. guarantees vs. role security)? Options: Term length, AAV (Annual Average Value), Guaranteed money, Roster/role security, Other
• Are there salary-cap, luxury tax, or collective bargaining constraints we must consider? Options: Yes - provide details, No, Unsure - need counsel
• Do you require sequencing with endorsement or image deals before finalizing extension terms? Options: Yes, No, Possibly - depends on deal
• Please list any existing verbal commitments or handshake agreements relevant to an extension.

Secure endorsement and sponsorship agreements

• What types of endorsements are you interested in (consumer brands, equipment, regional, global)? Options: Consumer brands, Sports equipment, Regional/local, Global/international, Technology, Financial services, Other
• What is the target geographic territory for sponsorships? Options: Local/Regional, National, Continental, Global
• Do you have existing brand relationships or active sponsorships we must consider? Options: Yes - list them, No
• What are acceptable brand categories or disallowed categories (e.g., alcohol, gambling, political causes)?
• What deliverables and activation expectations do you prefer (social posts, appearances, commercial spots)? Options: Social content, Public appearances, Commercial/TV spots, In-store events, Product collaborations, Other
• What are your minimum commercial terms (fee ranges, duration, exclusivity, usage rights)? Please provide ranges or criteria.

Manage endorsement payments and deliverables reconciliation

• Do you require agency-managed invoicing and escrow for endorsement payments? Options: Yes, No, Partial (only for certain deals)
• What cadence of payment reconciliation and reporting do you need (monthly, per deal, quarterly)? Options: Per deal, Monthly, Quarterly, On request
• Who will approve deliverables and sign-off on fulfillment (athlete, manager, external PR)? Options: Athlete, Manager/Agent, PR/Media Team, Other
• Do you need tracking for in-kind/merch inventory and valuation? Options: Yes, No
• Are there multiple currency or international payment requirements to consider? Options: Yes - list currencies/countries, No
• What dispute resolution steps should be used for unpaid or disputed endorsement fees? Options: Escalation to legal, Mediation, Withhold future deliverables, Other

Negotiate NIL and college sponsorship agreements

• Is the athlete currently in college or a recent collegiate athlete eligible under NIL rules? Options: Current college athlete, Recent collegiate athlete, Not a college athlete
• Which NCAA/state/league rules or school policies must we comply with? Options: NCAA, State NIL laws, University policy, Other
• Are there team or school restrictions on apparel or sponsor exclusivity we must honor? Options: Yes - provide details, No, Unsure - need audit
• What types of NIL activations are you seeking (social, appearances, product collaborations, affiliate)? Options: Social media, Appearances, Product collabs, Affiliate/Referral, Events
• Do you require education or compliance training on NIL contracts and reporting? Options: Yes - athlete and family, No, Only on request
• What compensation structure is acceptable (cash, equity, in-kind, revenue share)? Options: Cash, Equity, In-kind, Revenue share/royalties, Combination

Implement investment account transfers and allocations

• Do you have existing investment accounts to transfer (brokerage, IRA, trust accounts)? Options: Brokerage, Retirement (IRA/401k), Trust account, None
• Who is the current custodian/institution for each account (name and account type)?
• Do you require a full transfer (ACATS/firm-to-firm) or partial transfer and reallocation? Options: Full transfer, Partial transfer, New accounts only
• What is the target asset allocation or risk profile (conservative, balanced, growth, tax-sensitive)? Options: Conservative, Balanced, Growth, Aggressive Growth, Tax-sensitive
• Are there tax, residency, or foreign account considerations we should model during transfer? Options: Yes - provide details, No, Unsure - need advisor review
• What timeline do you expect for transfers and initial rebalancing? Options: Immediate (1-2 weeks), Short (2-6 weeks), Quarterly or longer

Provide ongoing portfolio management

• Do you want discretionary portfolio management or advisory (we execute vs. we advise)? Options: Discretionary (we execute), Advisory (we recommend)
• What reporting cadence and detail level do you expect (monthly performance, tax lots, cashflow projections)? Options: Monthly, Quarterly, On-demand
• Are there ESG, religious, or other restrictions on permitted investments? Options: Yes - specify, No
• Do you require coordinated financial planning services (cash flow, taxes, estate integration)? Options: Yes - include tax planning, Yes - cashflow only, No
• What is the target net return goal or benchmark for the portfolio? Options: Capital preservation, Income focused, Benchmark index (specify), Custom target
• Who are the authorized signers and who should receive investment reports? Options: Athlete, Spouse/Partner, Financial Advisor, Other

Establish trusts, wills, and estate documents

• Do you currently have any estate documents (will, living trust, power of attorney)? Options: Will, Revocable trust, Irrevocable trust, Power of attorney, None
• What is the desired beneficiary structure (family, trusts, charitable, staggered distributions)?
• Which jurisdiction(s) govern your estate planning (state and country)?
• Do you require specialized instruments (special needs trust, dynasty trust, tax-protected structures)? Options: Yes - specify, No
• Will you need assistance funding trusts, transferring assets, or retitling accounts? Options: Yes - fund and transfer, No, Partial assistance
• Are there any confidentiality or public-profile considerations we should incorporate into estate documents? Options: Yes - specify, No

Procure career-ending and disability insurance policies

• Do you currently have career-ending, total/permanent disability, or loss-of-skill insurance? Options: Yes - provide policy details, No, Unsure - need review
• What coverage amounts or replacement income do you require (lump-sum, monthly benefit, career earnings protection)? Options: Lump-sum, Monthly benefit, Career earnings protection, Other
• Which sports or activities require specialized underwriting consideration (high-risk positions, collision sports)? Options: Contact sport (e.g., football), Non-contact, High concussion risk, Other
• Are pre-existing medical conditions or prior injuries present that could affect underwriting? Options: Yes - list, No, Prefer not to disclose here
• What policy features matter most (retroactive cover, residual benefits, rehabilitation support)? Options: Retroactive cover, Residual benefits, Rehab support, Waiver of premium, Other
• What is your target budget or premium tolerance for these insurance products? Options: Low, Moderate, High - prioritize coverage, Unsure - need quote

Register trademarks and execute IP licensing deals

• Do you have names, logos, nicknames or signatures you want trademarked? Options: Name, Logo, Nickname, Signature, Slogan, None
• In which territories do you want IP protection (US, EU, global)? Options: United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Global
• Are there existing registrations or pending applications we must review? Options: Yes - provide details, No
• What licensing models are you open to (exclusive, non-exclusive, royalty %, flat fee, revenue share)? Options: Exclusive, Non-exclusive, Royalty %, Flat fee, Revenue share
• Do you require brand style guidelines, usage monitoring, or enforcement strategies? Options: Yes - all, Yes - monitoring only, No
• What are your preferred acceptance criteria for IP deals (minimum fee, quality of partner, distribution reach)?

• Representation Agreement
• Statement of Work (SOW)
• Fee & Compensation Schedule
• Exclusivity & Conflict Mitigation
• Endorsement & Brand Rights Consent
• References & Client Checks Authorization
• Compliance, Insurance & Risk Allocation
• Financial & KYC Documentation Authorization
• Retainer & Initial Payment Authorization
• Signatures & E-Signature Capture
• Confidentiality & Publicity Release
• Termination & Transition Plan

• Negotiation Progress Standup
• Endorsement Placement & Activation Review
• Financial Planning Checkpoint
• Issues & Enhancements Triage (Shared Channel Sync)
• Quarterly Relationship & Performance Review

• Assign owners and SLAs for all open tickets and update the shared channel with commitments.
• Current Cashflow & Liquidity Review
• Ensure athlete liquidity and tax readiness for the next 3 months.
• Align investment and insurance actions with updated career timeline and earnings.
• Document and approve any financial transactions or advisor engagements required before next checkpoint.
• Update the cashflow forecast reflecting signed/anticipated contract milestones.
• Coordinate with the athlete's CPA to prepare any near-term filings or estimated tax payments.
• Execute approved transfers or enrollments for insurance/investment adjustments.
• Prepare a contingency wallet and access plan in case of delayed payments.
• Review Open Tickets from Shared Channel
• Clear and prioritize the shared-channel backlog with owners and SLAs established.
• Ensure high-impact issues affecting athlete outcomes have immediate mitigation and visibility.
• Capture prioritized enhancement requests for roadmap consideration with clear acceptance criteria.
• Opening & Objectives
• Document immediate mitigations for any high-severity item and notify relevant stakeholders.
• Create roadmap tickets for approved enhancements with acceptance criteria and estimated delivery window.
• Publish a weekly digest summarizing closed, in-progress, and new items to the athlete and internal team.
• Executive Summary of Outcomes
• Validate that agency activities delivered expected outcomes and document any performance gaps.
• Agree on the strategic roadmap and priorities for the next quarter aligned to the athlete's career objectives.
• Confirm any contractual or service-level changes needed to maintain alignment and trust.
• Deliver a comprehensive quarterly performance report including financials, KPIs, and lessoned learned.
• Propose and document adjustments to team assignments or service levels if attention concerns were raised.
• Create a prioritized roadmap of negotiations, endorsements, and financial actions for the coming quarter.
• If applicable, prepare renewal or amendment documents and schedule formal review with athlete counsel.
• Ensure every active negotiation has a clear next action, owner, and timeline.
• Escalate and document any high-risk terms or external dependencies immediately.
• Minimize decision lag by confirming approvals required from athlete or leadership.
• Update the negotiation tracker with the agreed next steps and deadlines.
• Produce a 1-page decision memo for any approval required from the athlete this week.
• Assign a senior owner to any negotiation flagged as high risk and notify legal for clause review.
• Schedule follow-up calls with counterparties where response times exceed SLA.
• Pipeline Snapshot
• Advance prioritized endorsement opportunities to signed agreements or clearly documented rejections.
• Resolve or document any conflicts of interest before activation.
• Align marketing, legal, and athlete on activation timelines and KPIs.
• Request brand approval or conflict waivers from athlete/legal for flagged proposals.
• Issue or update standard LOI/term sheet for top-priority endorsements.
• Schedule required creative shoots and confirm logistics with athlete calendar.
• Add committed placements to the campaign tracker and assign measurement owner.
• Live Negotiation Status
• Prioritization & SLA Assignment
• Tax & Compliance Alerts
• Brand-Fit Assessment
• Performance vs. Plan
• Outstanding Decisions & Approvals
• Service & Attention Review
• Conflict & Compliance Check
• Mitigation for High-Risk Issues
• Investment & Allocation Updates
• Insurance & Contingency Planning
• Risk & Opportunity Scan
• Enhancement Requests & Roadmap Fit
• Activation & Measurement Plan
• Risk & Contention Items
• Negotiation Needs for Endorsements
• Scenario Planning
• Closure & Communication Plan
• Required Support & Resources
• Roadmap & Renewal Actions