The NCAA established a heavily-criticized rule regarding NBA agents being “properly certified” to work with undergraduate men’s basketball players who want to test out the the draft. In response to that, certified NBA agents have taken a stand.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowkski reports that the NBA Player’s Association will submit a letter saying that the agents will not comply with the NCAA’s proposed process.
The NBA's agents have signed a letter that informs the NCAA that player agents will not register for the NCAA's proposed agent certification process, according to the letter obtained by ESPN. The @TheNBPA will transmit letter to the NCAA soon, per sources.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 14, 2019
In the letter, the agents call the certification process a way for the NCAA to “garner access to personal and private information of certified agents in what amounts to subpoena power to embark on investigations that are wholly unrelated to protecting the interests of men’s basketball student-athletes in deciding whether to remain in school or to enter the NBA Draft.” Wojnarowski also reports that the agents are willing to work with the NCAA and find common ground in terms of an annual training for NBA agents.
Contents of signed letter the NBPA will send to NCAA on behalf of player agents refusing to be a part of NCAA certification process to advise undergrads testing draft waters. pic.twitter.com/fJdAwyDabD
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 14, 2019
“Every year, men’s basketball student-athletes continue to make poor decisions on whether to remain in the NBA Draft or return to school. We share in the NCAA’s goal of wanting to correct this problem, yet NCAA legislation continues to demonize and marginalize agents and furthers a negative stigma instead of making strides toward working cooperatively to ensure that student-athletes get the most accurate and competent counsel to make great career and life decisions.
Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, who represents some of the biggest names in the NBA, made the first move against the NCAA’s certification proposal in an article via The Athletic. Six hours after the op-ed went live, the NCAA removed the requirement for an agent to have a bachelor’s degree.
