MMA promotions are similar to boxing promotions in the sense that state regulatory bodies have to grant licenses to the promotions and the fighters (and likely support staff like medical staff, referees, judges, and others on hand) prior to the fighters entering the arena (ring or cage). One of the main differences between the two sports, not the only one of course, is that pro boxing also has sanctioning bodies which determine their champions and rankings. MMA fights are sanctioned by the promotion companies themselves, with the United Fighting Championship (UFC) leading the way by far.

Bad Company
​
The fact that the promotions are company centric makes them somewhat easier targets for fighter organizing drives. Obviously the need for long term fighter protection is there. Interest is likely there. The question here, like is the case in most organizing campaigns is where will the resources (capital, staff, knowledge base, skill, hunger, drive, and yeah…organization) come from? Fighters face challenges that need to be addressed on all levels.

Don't Complain and You'll Gain

First up is revenue sharing, as relatively low fighter pay is always an issue. Jealous boxing promoters, columnists, bloggers, and fighters themselves like Al “Raging” Iaquinta here recently have all railed against the pay the fighters, who are literally risking their lives every time they step up to fight, get on a nightly basis. Most promotions do supplement fighter contracts with pay-per view splits and competition “fight of the night” bonuses, etc. But these are often politically driven and doled out to company favorites, at least according to Mr. Iaquinta.

The future of sports is full of amazing views for athletes and sports agents. Please use the share bar to help aspiring sports, multimedia, and entertainment professionals learn more about positive, creative, and progressive content like this! 

A sports agent has significant responsibility and is an advocate for the athlete, coach, team, players association, and overall brand or league. Are you up to the challenge? Buckle up as Farria Law Group takes you through the journey. Here's the road map...

​Many people want to become a sports agent but few reach their highest potential. Why? It's an exciting dream to have and seems very glamorous! Both are true but it is important to understand the scope of the role before starting the journey. Success is a moving target in the modern age of sports and entertainment marketing, social media marketing, branding, contract negotiation, contract mediation, endorsement deals, potential litigation, international business law and immigration law, and career longevity. A person who wants to learn how to become a sports agent has a unique desire, and must have the highest levels of integrity and persistence.

1. Travel is Awesome and...

Overwhelming | Creating Balance

​When you become a sports agent the work and competition is just starting! Sports agents definitely receive perks, including working from all over the country and world. If you have not traveled much before you become a sports agent, this could turn quickly from an awesome to an overwhelming experience. Clients want to have access to their agent 24/7/365 and great agents want to make sure they are available. How do you balance the scope of travel, multiple client's needs, and provide the best service and results?

• create a health and wellness routine when you are learning how to become a sports agent
• do some practice traveling and create internal goals and deadlines for yourself to simulate what life will be like when you become a sports agent
• find a mentor who is already a sports agent; your classmates may become partners in the future but they most likely won't have real life experiences that can give you a competitive advantage 

2018 is already shaping up to be a huge year for college sports. College football programs across the country are playing annual Spring games to jam packed stadiums. College basketball recruiting is already at a fever pitch with tournament games already underway. The ratings have come in for the NCAA tournament and every party involved in the profit sharing should come away overjoyed with the numbers for this year’s tournament. And all these arrows are pointing up for 2018.

Some of the biggest payouts of the year will go to 3 individual schools, The Ohio State University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Texas respectively. These schools combined signed deals with Nike that total over $650M and last well into 2030. Ostensibly the money these deals generate will go back into the budgets of the school’s athletic departments but will also be used by the institution’s general funds.

Puff, Puff, Pass...not so fast for Pro Athletes. 

Despite the rumblings and grumblings from newly appointed Attorney General Jeff Beauregard Sessions, the use of marijuana in some form or fashion is now legal in over 30 states and the District of Columbia.  The people organized.  The people voted.  AG Sessions needs to just get over it.  But guess what, so do most governing bodies that control professional sports leagues and teams. Marijuana use is still strictly prohibited in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and the NHL and all of the players are subject to some form of testing.  Why are so many pro teams and leagues resistant to marijuana use by their players? 

I have a few theories.

1.)    The science is still largely in question.  If there were definitive statements made by the medical community about the overall benefits of marijuana use, then the sports leagues would have a hard time prohibiting its use.  The truth of the matter is that until the various departments of federal law enforcement act (Justice Department; Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy, etc.) remove the classification of cannabis from a controlled substance, the medical research community

Amazing topic here and overlooked far too often! 

​Want to know why? 

For those of you who don’t know who Lavar Ball is, and I am sure there are a handful of you all out there, he is the father of three amateur basketball players Lonzo, LiAngelo, and Lamelo. Lonzo, a budding star in his own right, is leading the UCLA Bruins in their quest for a National Championship. His two brothers are both still in high school and will be headed to UCLA upon graduation.
The Ball’s have been generating a lot of buzz lately, largely due to some of the outrageous claims that Lavar Ball has made over the past several weeks in the lead up