Agents and Intermediaries in English Football: Bridging the gap while keeping the distance Dr Anna Semens Centre for the International Business of Sport Coventry University

Background Little academic literature But agents key and powerful stakeholders in business of football Pre 1980s very few –Salaries low –Opportunities limited Commercialisation + labour market liberalisation created gap in market for agents to occupy

Main Roles Contract negotiation – between player and club/ player and sponsor Matching service (Scouting) between players and clubs/ players and sponsor or endorser Brokering deals – between clubs/ player and club  Trend for consolidation – Full Service Agency

English Football

Premier League wage/turnover ratio

UK Agents… Can be rich and powerful Chelsea reportedly paid £900,000 to the agent Pini Zahavi to finalise the sale of Wayne Bridge to Manchester City Manchester United paid Ruud van Nistelrooy’s agent £1.2m for re-negotiating his contract in 2004 BUT distribution of work is uneven

Network Football Agents gain power from bridging gap between stakeholders Structural holes and ability of agent to act as network bridge gives greater access to information and control Roles and activities have developed in response to structural change and commercial development Diversification key

Discussion/Conclusions Agents have earned their role Main aim to improve terms for previously exploited players Market dominance by small number of firms Potential conflicts of interest Need effective regulation Self regulation/ independent body

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