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NCAA Division I Baseball Agent Rule Change
Thanks to action taken at the annual NCAA Convention in January, high school baseball prospects who are being considered for the Major League Baseball Draft in June now have the opportunity to utilize the services of an agent in negotiating with major league teams on their behalf regarding their draft opportunity and potential signing bonus.
Previously, NCAA amateurism rules prohibited the involvement of an advisor/agent in direct negotiations with major league baseball teams on behalf of a drafted high school prospect.
This Division I rule change was approved by the universities that are members of the Power-5 conferences (ACC, SEC, Big 10, Big 12, and Pac-12) plus Notre Dame.
Other Division I universities can choose to follow this rule if they wish, but are not required to do so. Since this rule gives prospective student-athletes a benefit that they have not had previously, I expect that most other Division I programs will adopt this rule.
- It is important to note that this rule does not apply to current college baseball players!
- It only applies to high school athletes prior to the start of their initial full-time enrollment and attendance at a college or university.
- Current college players can seek advice and input from an advisor, but can’t have anybody act as their agent in negotiating directly with a major league team on their behalf.
Furthermore, if a high school prospect doesn’t sign a contract with the professional team, the representation agreement that the prospect has with the agent must be terminated prior to full-time college enrollment.
Contact Rick Allen at 913-766-1235 or at rick@informedathlete.com for a confidential consultation if you or your athlete will have the opportunity to be drafted in the June MLB and would like to discuss the implications of this rule and how it might affect your you.
About Rick Allen:
• 25-plus years NCAA rules expertise, including Director of Compliance at two major D-I schools
• Current member and former President of National Association for Athletic Compliance (NAAC)
• Conducts compliance reviews and audits at NCAA Schools throughout the U.S.
• Consults with NAIA schools transitioning to NCAA membership status
• Dad of a D-I and D-II student-athlete