I often write PFT posts as an excuse to push all our great readers to a column or article written by someone with a lot more talent than myself.
This is one of those times. Do yourself a favor and carve out time on Tuesday to check out SI’s “Confessions of a Sports Agent” piece by George Dohrmann and former agent Josh Luchs.
Luchs says he paid more than 30 players from Ryan Leaf to Jamir Miller to Tony Banks in the 90’s. He also talks about bringing Jonathan Ogden to a Janet Jackson concert because Ogden wouldn’t take his money, among many other stories.
Luchs ultimately treated giving gifts and money to players casually since it’s just part of the business. He points out that players ask for money; it’s not all about “dirty agents” going after the players.
Stunned would be the wrong word to describe my reaction to the article. Everyone assumes large swaths of the sports agent business don’t play anywhere near the “rules.” We know NCAA athletes regularly treat rules regarding accepting payment from agents as seriously as pedestrians take jaywalking laws in New York.
If anything is a surprise here, it’s the frank nature Luchs approaches telling his background. Dohrmann does a terrific job reporting. Names are named from agents to Mel Kiper to players like Ryan Leaf and Santonio Holmes. The piece should open a lot of eyes and inspire debate.
Check it out and we’ll reconvene here later to dive into the particulars more, including Kiper’s involvement. Consider it like a PFT book club selection.