Bill Summary

• Creates a Board of Athlete Agents and requires individuals acting as athlete agents in Michigan to obtain a certificate of registration with the department, except those only recruiting with student or family initiation who submit applications within 7 days.

• Mandates athlete agent registration applicants submit detailed information including training, experience, references, prior clients, business associates, criminal history, and any prior denials or suspensions of athlete agent licensure in other states.

• Requires agency contracts to be in writing, signed by both parties, and contain specific terms including compensation amounts, services described, expenses reimbursable, duration, and a conspicuous warning about potential loss of athletic eligibility and 14-day cancellation rights.

• Prohibits athlete agents from making false statements, providing anything of value before contract signing, initiating contact with unregistered status, predating/postdating contracts, and failing to notify athletic directors within 72 hours of signed contracts; violations are misdemeanors punishable by fines up to $1,000.

• Allows educational institutions to sue athlete agents or former student-athletes for damages caused by article violations and creates a 2-year registration validity period with reciprocal recognition of registrations from other states.