Agents will pay a collective $8 million on their clients before the draft. Jack Bechta
As the NFL Combine looms just 11 weeks away, agents are making arrangements to help their new clients get ready to perform.
I estimate that agents will spend a cumulative $8 million or more to assist players with their preparation for the combine and their pro days.
For those who don’t know, the NFL Combine takes place every year in Indianapolis, where some the top college prospects compete for the top draft slots. They are poked and prodded by team doctors, measured in every direction and timed and interviewed by all 32 NFL teams. It’s the agent’s job to help the player prepare for this important audition.
Agents contract preparation specialists and send their clients to one of the many facilities based around the country. These experts have systems specifically in place to train, feed, educate and prep the potential draftee. They have strength trainers, speed specialists to help with the 40-yard dash, nutrition experts, physical therapists, massage therapists and even position-specific coaches. A matter fact, you can find former NFL coaches and players who teach technique and interview preparation. It’s also the agent’s responsibility to procure housing, transportation, food, supplements, equipment and training gear.
Some of these workout facilities have a turn-key solution while others supply the training and the agent pieces together the rest.
On average, an agent will spend between $15,000 and $25,000 per player. Last year, there were 256 players drafted and another 320-plus signed as undrafted free agents. Not all players go to training facilities and not all agents flip the bill for premium destinations. My guess is that there are 300-400 players who have their training completely paid for at an average cost of $20,000 per player.
Do the math: $20,000 X 400 players = $8 million.
There are more and more of these training facilities popping up around the country looking to get their slice of the training pie. The competition has helped to drive down prices, but it has hasn’t changed dramatically.
Although most of these training programs last until the combine on the third weekend in February, many players want to train until their pro day, which takes place in March. Some of the larger agencies incur healthier bills, averaging around $40,000-$50,000, because they add bells and whistles such as premium cars and luxury condos to their packages.
It’s common practice for agents to make this outlay and not be reimbursed for it. It’s simply the investment we make in helping our clients make the most of their opportunity.
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So Jack.
A GM is lucky if he hits on 1/3 to 1/2 of his picks.
What's a typical hit/miss % for an agent?
For 8 million in cost that stuff better come with a visit to the chicken ranch.
Very good article.
Thanks
Wow, this article was fascinating. It's professionals like you Mr. Bechta that make NFP the best football site on the internet.
Jack,
Have you watched the documentary Two Days in April? This is a good example of what type of prep the agencies put these guys through before the draft. Apparently in my research it was an idea of Tom Condon's and it is becoming clear to me after finding this out that it was purely a marketing ploy for his agency at the time. I wondered why at the end when they did status updates on the players that with Derek Hagan they added something such as "he will have an outstanding career in the NFL". Seemed like a weird comment.
So after a little more research it seems like Condon tried to get the film stopped and was sued. I guess it wouldn't be good marketing to show 3 of his 4 featured clients going in the late third round and one not drafted at all. This proves a point that you have made here in many articles that an agent can't get a player drafted by a certain pick.
spending each dollar wisely is a significant factor (or should be) in a GM decision making process. In most drafts, paying double for the no 1 overall pick versus the no. 10 overall pick is a poor use of resources.
good
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01:18 PM
Very interesting article. We already know from some of your prior articles that agents also have to spend a considerable amount just pitching potential clients. Then I suppose you're expected to pay for the players and their families/posse to accommpany them to the draft.
How about an article explaining how an agent hopes to recoup that big investment. I can see spending the bucks for a likely first rounder, but I can't see how you can justify laying out $20k for a second day guy who might not even make the team if he's even selected.