50 States in 50* Days - Alabama Athlete Agent Regulation

Up first in the 50 States in 50* Days series is Alabama.

In 1987, the Alabama Legislature passed the Alabama Athlete Agents Regulatory Act, which also created the Alabama Athlete Agents Commission. In 2001, the Legislature adopted the Alabama Uniform Athlete Agents Act. According to the NCAA, it’s one of 36 states to have adopted the Act (as of July 11, 2007). The Act contains most of the usual registration, reporting, criminal penalties (felony anyone?) and civil remedies contained in many athlete agent regulations, so I'm not going to walk you through the Act. I think I provide more than enough links to allow you to find what you need, but I will give you a few of the highlights.

The Office of the Secretary of State took over the administrative functions of the Alabama Athlete Agents Commission in 1994 and handles the applications for registration of the agents. It will cost you $200 for the initial application fee, which is good for two years. After that it will cost you $100 to renew. The good news for those of you registered in another UAAA state is that you will save $100 on the initial application (no help on renewals though). Those who are denied registration by the Secretary of State can appeal to the Alabama Athlete Agents Commission.

The Alabama Athlete Agents Commission is comprised of 18 members who are charged with promulgating rules and standards of conduct for athlete agents in order to protect the residents of the state. Most of the members are athletic directors from universities throughout Alabama, three are political appointees and one is appointed by the Alabama High School Athletic Association. The Commission faces a sunset every four years unless continued. As a part of the process for extending the commission, in 2006 the Alabama Department of Public Examiners prepared a report to provide information for use by the Sunset Committee in conducting its review and evaluation of the operations of the Alabama Athlete Agents Commission. The report provides a ton of information about the Commission and its activities.

The Secretary of State also maintains a searchable list of registered agents. As of this morning, there are 146 agents listed in this database. Having the list online makes it easier to check on the registration status of athlete agents, like those certified by the NFLPA with their principal office in Alabama. Hmmm.

Finally, the University of Alabama, Auburn University, and UAB all have information regarding athlete agents on their compliance websites.

That's it for Alabama. If you want different/more/less information presented on other states, or if you think I dropped the ball on Alabama and should just give up now, please leave a comment.

Up tomorrow - Alaska (don't worry, I'll find something to write about).