MISSISSIPPI ATHLETE AGENTS ACT
The revised Act, effective April 27, 2011, provides greater protection to Mississippi’s student-athletes and educational institutions by requiring greater accountability from athlete agents operating in the State. The new law contains numerous amendments affecting how athlete agents conduct business in Mississippi and clarifies the Secretary of State’s role in regulation and oversight. Please note: the Act now includes high school athletes and their scholarship negotiations with a prospective university or college.
REGISTRATION
Sports agents conducting business in Mississippi MUST complete the proper registration requirements with the Secretary of State’s Office. Any sports agent who recruits a student athlete without proper registration with the Secretary of State’s Office may face civil and criminal penalties. Such action may potentially damage a student-athlete’s eligibility with the NCAA.
WHO IS CONSIDERED A SPORTS AGENT IN MISSISSIPPI?
The Mississippi Uniform Athlete Agents Act defines an “athlete agent” as any individual who enters into an agency contract with a student-athlete, or, directly or indirectly, recruits, induces, or solicits a student-athlete to enter into an agency contract. This does not include a spouse, parent, sibling, grandparent or guardian or individual acting solely on behalf of a professional sports team or professional sports organization.
WHO IS CONSIDERED A STUDENT-ATHLETE IN MISSISSIPPI?
The Mississippi Uniform Athlete Agents Act defines a “student-athlete” as any individual who engages in, is eligible to engage in, or may be eligible in the future to engage in, a sport for a professional sports team or in any intercollegiate sport at any educational institution.