Basketball Agent 101 Syllabus Course Description Examines the skills, tools and techniques needed to become a NBA sports agent; as well as an overview of the interconnected positions associated with the NBA management process. Emphasizes decision-making, the refinement of skills needed to recognize and solve bargaining issues, and effective communication of recommendations. Course Objectives Upon completion of this course, students should be able to Learn how to scout talent Learn more about the importance of the player and developing a long lasting relationship with them and all business partners Learn to research and interpret the NBA environment Examine and critique the practices of NBA organizations and offer suggestions for contract improvement Learn the fundamentals of management and strategy development with global competition in mind Learn how to apply a more market-oriented philosophy focused on player needs and competitive threats Learn how to gain access to and what is needed to complete a NBPA certification application Learn extensively about the collective bargaining agreement between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) Learn about the consequences of unlawful and unethical decisions
Course Agenda This is the class broken down into segments. Here is a sample agenda for a two hour class on the National Basketball Players Association: 12 minutes Class introduction 10 minutes History of the NBPA 2 minutes Break 13 minutes NBA and NBPA collective bargaining agreement 10 minutes Discussion 20 minutes Closing comments
Class Format The class will include but not be limited to lectures, discussion and interact with each other. Week 1 Lecture: NBPA Overview History of the NBPA and what it does History of the NBPA and what it does Understand the importance of the collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Player Association. Consider players within the context of the union-oriented philosophy Be able to defend why being an agent is so much more than just salesman Become familiar with the NBPA and gain experience making decisions and seeing the outcome of decisions Week 2 Lecture: Agent Strategy Learn the basic functionality of basketball scouting, player evaluation, player ratings and in-depth analysis Assess your internal and external environment Overview of basketball scouting College and International scouting Collegiate basketball scouting versus high school players Learn to define scouting environment and begin to build your strategy Exercise your decision-making skills The making of a basketball scouting report The language and history of basketball scouting
Week 3 Lecture: The Importance of Basketball Contracts and Player Negotiation Recognize that information is potential power and necessary for proactive decision-making Responsibilities of a basketball general manager Learn the importance of basketball contracts and player negotiation Development of player contracts, player trades and acquisitions Exercise your decision-making skills Clarify your core competency
Week 4 Lecture: Player / Owner Behavior Understand player value, satisfaction and attitude Learn about the importance of relationships Know the steps in the decision making process Understand the many influences on decision making: Psychological Situational Social Week 5 Lecture: Relationships between Multiple Basketball Markets Relationships between the NBA, CBA, NBDL and overseas basketball leagues Learn how each league can act dependently and independently Understand the importance of targeting the right team and league Understand what player equity is and how to defend it Week 6 Lecture: Drafting and Free Agency Understand factors leading to leading to team drafting behavior NBA Draft preparation and free agent signing Understand how to use the player life cycle information Methods of ranking high school and college basketball talent
Week 7 Lecture: High Level Networking Learn the steps in developing relationships with those at the highest level of basketball FIBA 213 National Federations of basketball throughout the world Explore league alternatives Week 8 Lecture: Application and Experience Credible basketball job experience for your resume Understand the complexities of the NBPA forms / applications Learn the overview of the process and fees Learn the objectives and be able to discuss the various agent strategies Learn the complexities and the importance of research before, during and after your strategy How to run the front office of a basketball franchise Basketball franchise and stadium operations The course description, objectives and learning outcomes are subject to change without notice based on enhancements made to the course. July 2014 Bibliography Stein, Mel. How to Be a Sports Agent. London: High Stakes, 2008. Print. Greene, Robert, and Joost Elffers. The 48 Laws of Power. New York: Penguin Books, 2000. Print. National Basketball Player's Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 July. 2014