Player Agent outburst disappointing

Originally I was going to Blog a piece about one of my players securing an endorsement opportunity that myself and my company spent 3 months pursuing on his behalf. Instead, I’m writing in response to several comments made in the media since the Melbourne Storm fiasco, about player managers and their involvement in the Storm's salary cap situation and the NRL at large.

Before I respond to the comments, I’d firstly I’d like to make it clear, what my position is, in regards to the protaganists involved. The motive behind the comments varies from personal attacks, to ill informed 'straw clutching'. Be it media commentators without any credibility or corporate executuives with little knowledge of the intracacies of the game, the attacks are unfounded and poorly communicated.

I wouldlike to offer a counter position to these attacks perpetrated in the media, which I will preface with the complete understanding that the generalised opinion of Player Managers/Agents, caused by the “movie depicted” stereotypes, fabled stories and less than professional business practices of a few certain “Agents”, has caused. However, as a Rugby League community, we must compare how inaccurate and potentially dangerous these “opinions” can be. I have been an agent for 7 years now and have never had a single issue or problem with any club, client, administrator, family member or official in that time. Taking the time to 'fly beneath the radar' and organically build a reputation, which is what this business is about, shouldn't be jeopardised due to some mindless comments in the media.

As a former player, I take a lot of pride in the way I handle my client base. I maintain strong bonds with my players and commit an abundance of resources to those players throughout their careers. I’ve even provided housing for one of my players who moved in with my family to ensure he could pursue his dream. During the time he lived with me, he won numerous club awards and was selected for NSW 18’s.

I only do this job because I love the sport and feel it is my best way to give back to the game that has given me an excessive amount of fantastic 'lifetime' memories. To have an associated branding of misfit or cowboy flies firmly in the face of what I have spent 7 years working away from, developing, links, networks and relationships with key stakeholders within the sport.

Further to the damage being done to the game by these Agents in the Storm case, irrespective of what was asked for or how many different bits of paper were written, signed or hidden the fact remains that the Storm busted the cap, NOT THE AGENTS! If the Agent was asking for too much money and the club couldn’t afford it under the cap, they should have let the player go. Simple.

And finally, in regards to throw away comments on agents and the damage they do to the game, I would challenge that “opinion-driven free lancers” and "pressured corporate administrators", do more damage, with their constant cynicism and over-generalised attacks on the sport, it’s admin, structures, coaches, players etc. , then any 'misfit' Agent.