Understanding the Standard Representation Agreement: What Student-Athletes Should Know

Before you sign anything with a sports agent, you should understand what you’re signing. The Standard Representation Agreement (SRA) is the foundational contract that governs the relationship between an athlete and their agent — and like any legal document, the details matter.

Here’s a plain-English breakdown of what a typical SRA covers, and what to pay attention to before putting your name on it.

Parties and Basic Information

The agreement opens by identifying both parties: the agent (or agency) and the student-athlete. This section establishes who is entering the agreement and when it goes into effect. Make sure both names, contact information, and relevant entity details are accurate before moving forward.

Term of Contract

This section defines how long the agreement lasts. Most SRAs begin on the signing date and remain in effect until the student-athlete exhausts NCAA eligibility or until the agreement is terminated under the conditions in the termination clause. Understanding the duration is important — it tells you how long you’re committed and when either party can walk away.

Services Provided

This is where the agent’s actual obligations are defined. Look for specifics:

• Is representation exclusive or non-exclusive? Exclusive means this agent is your only authorized representative for the covered activities. Non-exclusive allows you to work with others simultaneously.
• What activities does the representation cover? Typically: contract negotiation, marketing, endorsements, and NIL activities.
• What additional services (legal referrals, financial planning) can the agent coordinate, and what approval process applies to those fees?

Compensation

This is among the most important sections to review carefully. Standard commission structures typically look like:

• 10% of purse for professional events secured by the agent
• 15% of total value for marketing and endorsement deals
• Reduced rate (often 10%) for opportunities the athlete referred to the agent

Commissions should only apply to deals the agent secures or is materially involved in. Payment terms should be clearly stated — typically within 30 days of the athlete receiving payment. If the commission structure is vague, ask for specifics in writing before signing.

Expenses

Agents often incur legitimate expenses on behalf of clients — travel for negotiations, for example. The SRA should specify that these require advance approval, that the athlete is responsible for reimbursement, and that a written summary of costs will be provided. Do not accept open-ended expense language.

Termination

Either party should be able to exit the agreement with written notice — typically 30 days. Pay close attention to post-termination commission obligations: you may still owe commission on contracts signed during the agreement period even after termination. Also note whether there is a “tail period” (commonly six months) during which the agent earns commission on deals they identified before termination.

Dispute Resolution

Most SRAs require disputes to be resolved through binding arbitration rather than litigation. Understand which state’s laws govern the agreement and where arbitration would occur — this matters if you and your agent are in different states.

Warranties

Both parties make representations: you confirm you have remaining NCAA eligibility and the legal ability to enter the agreement; the agent confirms they are properly licensed and registered with the relevant governing bodies (for soccer, that means FIFA agent licensing).

Before You Sign

Never sign an SRA under pressure or without having reviewed it carefully. If you’re uncertain about any clause, speak with a lawyer or experienced advisor first. The right agent will not rush you.

At Dub Sports, we walk every prospective client through our representation agreement before asking for a signature. If you’d like to understand what working with a FIFA-licensed agency looks like, book a free consultation — no commitment required.