Saturday September 30, 2023
Law

How an Agent is Synthesizing Athlete Representation with the Law

Front Office Sports Today

Donovan McNabb and the State of Football

From Taylor Swift to the Prime Effect, there's a lot going on in the world of football.
Listen Now
September 29, 2023 | Podcast
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied
sports-law-representation-agent-law

Part of what makes the sports industry special is its practitioners’ willingness to innovate within different pre-existing roles in sports.

Chris Patrick Jr. created a niche role for himself by synthesizing the position of a sports agent with the skill set of an attorney; while many sports agents attend law school, fewer have passed a bar exam and are actually practicing law. Patrick’s firm, the Sports Law Group, provides National Basketball Association players with a powerful toolset to maximize their potential on and off the court.

The Sports Law Group, which is based in Washington D.C., negotiates player contracts for NBA players and handles their legal needs — including matters pertaining to family law, business law, estate planning, and real estate.

“Whether you want to create a foundation to give back to the community, buy your first house, or invest in a business venture, we are here to counsel and guide you through the process,” he said. “Our goal is not to just negotiate your contract, but to be in your corner for the next 20 years.”

Part of what makes Patrick so successful as a sports professional is his genuine passion for the game of basketball. The roles that he has successfully occupied include an AAU coach, an NBA agent at a major sports agency, and now, the managing partner of the Sports Law Group.

“Basketball has been a part of me my whole life,” Patrick said, “[and, because of my knowledge of basketball] I know enough about the game to know if a guy can make it [as an NBA player].”

Patrick’s knowledge of the game has helped him tremendously when recruiting clients; he has a unique eye for NBA talent that has served him well. For example, over the course of his career as an agent, Patrick has signed six undrafted players that were eventually signed to NBA contracts — including Robert Covington, Eric Moreland, and Dwight Buycks.

Moreland, currently represented by the Sports Law Group and a member of the Detroit Pistons, emphasizes Patrick’s well-roundedness.

“I appreciate his business acumen along with the fact that he knows the game of basketball, which gives me the best of both worlds,” he said. “Chris is very analytical and can break down statistical information to layman’s terms so that I can understand the business side of this profession.”

Damyean Dotson, also represented by the Sports Law Group and a member of the New York Knicks, stressed the importance of having an agent who is also an attorney.

“[Chris] being an attorney was an added bonus and made me confident knowing that he had my back with everything I would be doing.”

Ultimately, NBA players seek an agent that they can trust; Patrick believes that because he is an attorney, he has the ability to sell to players that he is governed by even stricter rules than sports agents are.

“Being an attorney,” Patrick said, “you have to do things the right way.”

This is a point that athletes recognize: an increased emphasis on ethics. Although sports agents are governed by ethics rules set forth by their respective player’s associations, the competition of the sports agency business can sometimes lead agents to do unscrupulous things. As an attorney, the ethics rules imposed by bar associations and the Model Rules of Professional Ethics impose an even stricter standard than those which govern sports agents. Patrick, who is both an attorney and an agent, must follow the rules in both.

“Outside of basketball, he is just a good, decent human being, who truly wants to ‘do the right thing,’” Moreland said. “He definitely wants the best for me as a person, a player and as a professional.”

Want more content like this? Subscribe to our daily newsletter!

Additionally, Patrick emphasizes some of the other benefits of having a practicing attorney as your agent, including understanding some of the nuances that can be negotiated in a player contract, a deep knowledge of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, and the ability to formulate thorough arguments on behalf of his client.

At the end of the day, it is clear that Patrick’s success is driven by his passion for the game of basketball and his willingness to do whatever it takes to make his clients successful.

Patrick’s innovation flows organically from his love of the work he does.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ryder Cup’s Future Hanging In The Balance Amid Saudi Disruption

An unexpected change could be coming to the Ryder Cup.

Colorado Has Become the Hollywood of College Football. This Weekend Proves It.

Folsom Field will welcome dozens of Hollywood stars on Saturday.
Toy Story

‘Toy Story’ Success Could Lead to More Disney-Branded NFL Kid-Casts

A successful ‘Toy Story’ game could open the door for other franchises.
A rendering of plans for a new arena and surrounding entertainment district in Reno, Nevada.

Nevada Basketball Arena Centerpiece of $1B Private Investment in Reno

It's the largest private investment in the city's history.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Donovan McNabb and the State of Football

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce on field after the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Taylor Swift Shaking Up Travis Kelce, Chiefs Prop Betting Market

Sportsbooks are capitalizing with Taylor Swift-themed prop bets.
Taylor Swift reacts while sitting next to Donna Kelce watching the Kansas City Chiefs vs Chicago Bears game during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
September 28, 2023

Taylor Swift Is Affecting The NFL, Chiefs Ticket Markets

Swift will visit her second NFL stadium in as many weeks.
BioSteel
September 28, 2023

BioSteel Bankruptcy Shows Perils of Costly Sports Partnerships

BioSteel spent heavily on partnerships deals before bankruptcy.
Taylor Swift at Chiefs vs. Bears game.
September 27, 2023

Taylor Swift NFL Hype Likely To Continue Another Week

Swift could drive blockbuster TV ratings for NBC's "Sunday Night Football."

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago
Fanatics
New York
Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, Inc.
USA - Multiple Locations
Mississippi tackle Michael Oher poses with his family after being selected as the number 23 overall pick to the Baltimore Ravens in the 2009 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Judge Ends Michael Oher’s Conservatorship with Tuohy Family

Oher claims the Tuohys misrepresented their legal relationship to him.
Patrick Reed
September 27, 2023

Judge Dismisses Both of Patrick Reed’s Defamation Cases

A federal judge dismissed both of Patrick Reed’s defamation cases.
NFL concussions
September 27, 2023

The NFL’s $1B Battle Over Concussion Settlement Heats Up

The NFL is seeking at least $1.2 billion from its risk carriers.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is among the FTX endorsers who have reached a settlement for their roles in promoting the crypto exchange.
September 18, 2023

Trevor Lawrence Settles Lawsuit Over FTX Crypto Endorsement

Lawrence has settled while other FTX athlete endorsers still face lawsuits.
Lane Kiffin
September 15, 2023

Ole Miss Football Player Files $40M Lawsuit Against Lane Kiffin, School

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin is being sued by one of his players.
Senate Hearings
September 13, 2023

Senate Subpoenas Saudi Investment Fund Records in PGA Tour Inquiry

Senate hearing reveals deep concerns about the potential PGA Tour-LIV deal.
Jim Trotter
September 12, 2023

Reporter Jim Trotter Sues NFL, Alleges NFL Owner Made Racist Remark

Trotter alleged Terry Pegula made a "highly offensive and racist" remark.