You first posted the word "advisors". There are many people who are advisors who also advise and should not in the pro process. I am talking about those "advisors". They can skirt around the rules because they are not licensed agents. They get their money by being college advisors only which is legal. I just wanted to make those that are not aware of that, aware. Can you just see a parent reading this who used a college advisor begin to panic because they paid them a 2500 fee?
If you were speaking about agents who advise then there are different rules, we know that. They are agents period. This was pointed out to me by a scout here on the HSBBW. So therefore a player should NOT pay for an agent before he goes pro. I am in agreement.
You said that the NCAA prohibits contact between eligible athletes and professional sports teams. I was just wondering if that was true why are there scout days, or why do scouts hang out at summer leagues summer and speak to players if not allowed? I just wanted to point that out that it is regulated on the college campus by the NCAA. If not could you imagine what might go on? As a parent of an NCAA player, I was very happy they have rules like that. In HS parents have the option to control what goes on, you can't do that at college, so I am glad someone is minding teh store. You made it sound like it is a very bad thing to control the situation.
My son has an experienced agent who advised him and he never bothered him. Neither did any scouts. The way I see it, bothering and distracting that player only complicates his playing ability. Any advisor or scout that is on the players case 24/7 would be doing the player a great disservice as the player needs to concentrate on one thing, the game and his performance for the up coming draft. And if college coaches don't like scouts, how come I saw college coaches speaking to them often? Actually that college coach who has been developing that player TO BE drafted wants to make sure that he does talk to the scout as not to get misinformation and sperak to him regarding his progress. That was teh case for son. I don't see that as not wanting his player to be drafted.
I don't think my son could have achieved what he did without that help.
What is negotiable in the basic milb contract? There is not much to negotiate, addendums do change that however, you didn't mention that. Yes, you can negotate the money they will award you for scholarship. You can negotiate when the signing bonus will be paid out and yes you can negotiate the signing bonus if you have leverage to do so and a few more things, MAYBE. IMO that should be a given for an agent, after all his job is to help the player he chooses (as you put it) in the pro process to eventually make the MLB level, that is when he makes the buckos. However many agents do need part of that signing bonus to pay THEIR bills regardless of what role they played in the process. Many of them do not even represent ONE MLB player, they MUST get a fee to survive.
I do agree that 4% is not always the case. But it has become the norm. But does a player have to pay an agent to sign something that is being given to him? My son's agent (who my son adores and we do to), was not interested in his signing bonus, he pretty much feels son earned on his own. A fee was presented and that fee covers negotiations he has made for card signings and equipment deals, etc. It also covers income tax preparation. That fee is not a yearly fee, but a fee he paid for his services until he reaches either MLB or the 40 man (can't remember). I would assume that is what is done and what should be done.
You are correct on being educated, it is very important that a prospect considering having an agent advise them to do their HOMEWORK! And very important to be educated in the college vs pro process. Trust is most important.
Why don't you educate those on how some agents are not regulated? That's the purpose here.