NFLPA Agents’ Confidential Information Released

Last week, word spread that confidential information contained in the applications of NFLPA certified contract advisors had been improperly released. Here’s a selection of stories about the breach:

• SI.com’s Don Banks details some of the latest information - Sources: Upshaw had proof Vincent released agents' confidential info and he broke the story on the 20th here.
• Daniel Kaplan and Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal - NFLPA Hires DC Attorney To Look Into Claims Against Vincent and NFLPA Informs Prominent Agents That Application Info Was Compromised (SUBSCRIPTION ONLY)
• Jason Cole of Yahoo!Sports - Stover upset about ‘leak’ of Vincent investigation
• Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com has a whole bunch of posts on the issue.

It will be interesting to see how this impacts the search for a new executive director, what actually comes out (if anything) from the investigation, and how agents react - especially those whose information was released.

As Kaplan and Mullen report,

"The information in the lengthy agent applications at the NFLPA includes, among other things, the agent’s social security and driver’s license numbers; the names of all the NFL players and other athletes the agent has represented; the ownership structure of the agent’s firm; all of the agent’s employees who deal with athletes; any lawsuits or liens which have been filed against them; any financial advisors they have relationships with and if they are paid for referrals to financial advisors."

As the information is said to have been transmitted to one of Vincent's partners in his financial management firm, I'm also curious how NFLPA certified financial advisors may have been impacted and how they feel about the breach.

On a lighter note, the NFLPA now uses web form for the contract advisor application process. Following a link highlighting web form features you will find this nugget of information:

“Your data are transmitted securely over the Internet. The information you enter is encrypted and secure when you save it and when you send it. Although general data collected on the system may be used in statistical studies and reports designed to assist institutions with planning, any information bearing your personal identification is disclosed only to the department to which you send it.” (emphasis added)

Bechta asks - Will The Junior Year Rule Survive?

Jack Bechta, NFLPA certified agent and part of the team at The National Football Post, weighs in on the status and results of the "junior rule" in Will The Junior Year Rule Survive? From Jack's post:

"But the fact is that agents and players are still talking, the rule has not reduced the number of juniors who declare for the draft, and the juniors who do comply with the rule are rushed into selecting an agent. The fact that the majority of players are signing within three days after the allowable date for agent contact is evidence that players and agents are communicating regardless of the rule."

Check out the rest of Will The Junior Year Rule Survive? for Jack's insight on what may happen to this rule in March.

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From the AP: College baseball star wins suit against NCAA

The AP is reporting that Judge Tone has ruled in favor of Oklahoma State pitcher Andrew Oliver who argued that the NCAA shouldn't restrict a player's right to have legal help when negotiating a big league contract.