AGENTS: WHAT'S THE DEAL?

Craig Neff

October 19, 1987

As the influence of sports agents becomes more pervasive, the home run hitters, touchdown throwers and slam-dunkers are at risk of being overshadowed by dollars-and-cents operatives whose most impressive physical feat is waving a contract in the air until the ink is dry. This 19-page Special Report begins with an overview by Craig Neff of agents and the abuses many of them commit. He also examines how some agents scramble for clients. Next, John Papanek gives an account of the financial woes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Armen Keteyian focuses on the troubled clients of former superagent LaRue Harcourt. Jill Lieber's profile of former big leaguer Garry Maddox, whose experience with agents has been salutary, is followed by Doug Looney's story on a breathless day in the life of agent Jack Mills. Finally, Neff proposes ways to right some wrongs.