FAQ

NFL

* What do you do to advance the careers of your clients on and off the field?

Can you provide me with a projection of my draft status?

There is no one-specific official draft status list that can guarantee your draft position. However, our agency pulls various data from draft experts to give an estimation of draft position. From there, our goal is to increase the value of your stock in the eyes of NFL clubs. We do this through intensive contact with the teams, increasing your scores in preparation for the combine and various other marketing avenues. We will never settle for the status quo.

Complaints or charges

Are there currently any complaints or charges pending against anyone in the agency regarding conduct as an attorney or as a member of any other profession?

Consider what it means to you to work with an NFL agent whose clients have stayed with them for the player’s entire career.

The answer is simple; loyalty, honor, and trust from both agent and client. Our hope is to make you a part of our family and ours a part of yours.

Dealing with agents – Information to protect your eligibility

The DO’s

DO talk to your coaches or the compliance office about a future professional athletics career before talking with any sports agents

DO conduct research into the educational and professional backgrounds of potential agents

DO request information from a professional team or organization concerning your professional market value

DO speak with a financial advisor independent of an agent

DO explore the possibility of disability insurance to protect against future losses in the event of an injury

DO contact the compliance office if you are unsure about any agent issues

DO consider the possibility of forfeiting your collegiate eligibility when dealing with any agents – always remain cautious!

The DO NOT’s

DO NOT accept any kind of benefits from an agent (including transportation, money, and gifts, regardless of value)

DO NOT let friends or relatives accept any kind of benefits from an agent on your behalf – it will impact your eligibility

DO NOT agree (orally or in writing) to be represented by an agent for the purpose of marketing your athletics ability or reputation if you wish to retain your collegiate eligibility

DO NOT participate in a tryout with a professional team or permit a professional team to conduct a medical examination during any part of the academic year

DO NOT agree (orally or in writing) to be represented by an agent in the future after your eligibility has ended

DO NOT have anyone (including a coach or other member of athletics staff) directly or indirectly market your athletics ability or reputation to a professional organization

DO NOT accept benefits or preferential treatment because of your future potential as a professional athlete

DO NOT allow a laywer or any “representative” to be present if you decide to meet with a professional sports organization (such presence is considered representation by an agent)

Did our NFLPA Certified contract advisor take the NFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement Test? What was the score?

Yes, both Tae and JT successful passed the NFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement exam. Test scores are not disclosed to applicants who successful pass the exam, however, more than 40% of test takers failed.

Do you have ownership interests in your company?

Tae and JT are majority owners of Atlas Sports Agency.

Have you ever had a dispute with a client and if so, how was it resolved?

How and when are you to be paid?

We bill clients after they receive money under a contract we negotiate for him. These will bill 30 days after receipt of any signing or other bonuses, and monthly during the NFL season, beginning on October 1. Our invoice terms are payable upon receipt.

How do you ensure that you meet your clients’ needs and that the NFL agents are not overextended in the process?

Our firm is staffed with nine professionals with different areas of responsibilities, the positions are: (2) NFLPA Contract negotiators (NFL Agents); an Attorney; a CPA; a Financial Advisor; a Client Services Manager, Client Marketer, Trainer, Operations Manager, and Client Website Developer.

How do you keep your clients informed of charges?

The NFLPA requires certified contract advisors and their clients to sign a standard representation agreement whereas the fees and expenses are explained in this Player-Agent contract. We bill our clients on actual pay received from their respective NFL club. If a client wishes to utilize any ancillary services our firm provides, we will enter into a written engagement describing the services requested and disclose that information to the NFLPA.

How much is your retainer?

We get paid when a player signs a contract on a 53 man roster or on any endorsements we may secure.

Is anyone in the agency an NFLPA certified contract advisor?

Yes, Tae Darnell and JT Johnson are NFLPA certified contract advisors.

Our Professional Background

In addition to being a founding member of US Entertainment and Sports Law, Tae Darnell actively represents and assists artists and athletes with contracts, negotiations, business formation, executive management, project development, creative development, licensing, copyright/trademark/IP protection, licensing, marketing, publicity, sales and more. Tae is also dedicated to defending the US Constitution and takes an active role in criminal defense, civil and corporate matters, and has personally worked with Grammy winners, NFL and NBA athletes and award winning members of the entertainment community. Among other local and national legal organizations, Tae Darnell is an active member of the American Bar Association, the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, and The CBA Sports & Entertainment Law Section.

JT currently has been a successful self-employed accountant for over 18 years, which included negotiating several multi-million dollar contracts for businesses. Mr. Johnson spent 5 years as a Director of Finance for an a amusement company and 16 years in management for a Fortune 500 manufacturing company with extensive work experience in interpreting and understanding their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Things that will nullify your eligibility.

Be careful when dealing with a prospective agent who is willing to offer you money, gifts, or other inducements to encourage you to sign with him or her; this will affect your eligibility, not theirs. Always interview more than one agent to ensure that you understand the process and are comfortable with your future decision.

What are the principles educational credentials?

In addition to his law degree, Tae has a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Marketing. Prior to obtaining his law degree, Tae ran one of the most successful independent record companies in the United States, and his experience in entertainment and marketing includes representation of NFL and NBA athletes as well as Grammy and Emmy nominees.

Our second NFLPA Certified Agent is JT Johnson. JT has a BS in Finance and Operations Management (double major), a BS in Accounting, and a MBA.

What are the procedures for terminating the agreement?

NFLPA Regulations Governing Contract Advisors requires written notice, sent via certified mail, to the contract advisor along with a copy to the NFLPA.

What do you do to advance the careers of your clients on and off the field?

On the field, we endeavor and create a climate that enables the athlete to reach the pinnacle of their athletic and mental potential. From the moment, a player is eligible; we assist and implement intensive training regimens that ensure the player is prepared for all facets of performance for a professional athlete. This includes intensive combine preparation, thorough health and nutrition guidelines, and premier off-season maintenance routines. In addition, we offer spiritual and psychological guidance to prepare players for the mental demands facing professional athlete. Our goal is to take care of the details and minutia, so the athlete is fully prepared to take care of business on the field.Off the field, we will aggressively market each player for each phase of a player’s career, from pre-draft up to unrestricted free agency. We first accomplish this through intensive team contact via telephone, emails, personal website features, fax, mailings, and personal contact. Communication is at the core of establishing identity for a player. Secondly, we place significant importance on building and maintaining an athlete’s reputation in the community they become a part of. To do so, we engage in significant media contact and implement successful branding techniques using social media, personal player websites, and personal appearances. By doing this we create value for the players brand identity and develop core strategies to maximize endorsement and contract potentials for every client. Further, we work with our clients to prepare them for life during and after football. We accomplish this by assisting with continuing and completing education objectives, internships, promotion of off-season emploment opportunities, networking opportunities and utilization of the many benefits the NFL offers players. In addition, we will work with players to prepare a long-term financial plan that facilitates financial security for themselves and their families beyond their retirement from the NFL.

What happens to our agreement if I fail to make the team, waived or if I am injured?

In the event that any of the above occurs, we will operate under the same agreement and we will immediately begin work on finding another opportunity for you! Regardless of your status, our commitment to our clients remains the same. Whether you are a starter, practice squad player, undrafted free agent or a top draft choice; we will provide you with the same worthy client services.Our reputation depends on our diligence, and you can be assured that we will leave no stone unturned in finding you new employment opportunities.

What is the duration of the agreement?

In accordance with NFLPA Regulations Governing Contract Advisors, our contracts run until terminated by either side.

What services do you offer to your clients other than contract negotiations (financial planning, tax advice, etc.)? Do you mind if I use my own accountant or financial planner?

Contract negotiations, marketing and sponsorship, endorsements, public relations, post-career counseling, and NFL-related legal services are the primary services we provide to our clients. In addition to our primary services we offer complete combine training, assistance with lines of credit, money management, disability/investment advice, legal services & assistance, team placement, try-outs, spiritual guidance, real estate, and all CPA-related services (tax, planning, estate and more) and other peripheral services on an oversight basis. We do not recommend or encourage our clients to use one particular service provider. Based on the unique needs of each individual client, we will assist in finding the best match based on a systematic and methodological approach. Clients are free to use any accountants or financial planners they choose to utilize.

What will you do for me once I decide I no longer want to play professionally?

As part of the annual career counseling service that we provide, we will have a good indication as to what you want to do when you decide to retire. We will always be your agent in all facets of your career. Professional football is a grueling profession and retirement is sometimes necessary for reasons beyond anyone’s control. Our goal is to have you prepared for life after football; whether you play for one or fifteen seasons, our goal is to prepare you for the next phase of life.

When I become a free agent, how can you help maximize my chances of making a team?

As stated in this faq, we will aggressively market each player for each phase of a player’s career, from pre-draft up to unrestricted free agency. We accomplish this through intensive team contact by telephone, emails, personal website features, fax, mailings, and personal contact. We will create, and continually update, player’s profiles that are unique to each player’s skills, accomplishments, and physical attributes. By building brand identity for you as a player, we build value in the eyes of franchises. From there, we facilitate landing you with the right team to maximize your potential as a player and as an asset. This includes analysis of off-field endorsement opportunities available in you chosen market and the opportunity for exposure provided by the team.

Where and when did you graduate from law school?

Our VP and general counsel, Tae Darnell is one of the people who negotiate our player’s contracts. Tae graduated from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2007. The Sturm College of Law is an elite private institution located in Denver, Colorado. Tae was the honored graduation speaker for his graduating class in addition to being a member of the esteemed Phi Delta Phi National Honor Society.

Who will be negotiating my contract?

Our president, JT Johnson, and general counsel, Tae Darnell, negotiate contracts individually. In some cases, both of them will jointly negotiate the more complex contracts.

Whom do you consider your top clients?

We treat every client as if he is our first and only client. For reasons that go beyond the obvious, all Atlas clients are our top client. It is our core belief that all players deserve first class client services in order for our company to be successful. At Atlas, we make it our priority to establish success for everyone.

RULES