Author Archives: itlneil

Ask the Scout: Can Docu-Series Help in Evaluation?

01 Friday Sep 2023

Posted by in Agents, NFL draft, NIL, Scouts, Uncategorized

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You won’t find a scout who doesn’t cite film as the foundation of his job. You gotta watch the tape to find out what a player offers. There are other ways to measure a prospect’s worth, of course, but it all goes back to film.

Of course, there are different kinds of film, and one kind we’re seeing more of is the kind you might find playing on ESPN, the NFL Network, HBO, or any number of networks that aim to bring behind-the-scenes action to fans eager for more exposure to the game they love. For example, the series “QB1: Beyond the Lights” featured such well-known passers as Justin Fields, Spencer Rattler and Jake Fromm long before they had reached the NFL (or are near reaching the NFL, as Rattler is). The next season offers two of this spring’s first-rounders in Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson. 

It doesn’t stop there. Netflix’s popular “Last Chance U” prominently featured two future draftees in Dakota Allen (7/251/2019, Rams) and Jermaine Johnson (1/26/2022, Jets). And lest you think this is some new phenomenon, back in the spring of 2005, the game show “Super Agent” aired on SpikeTV. It pitted nine agents against each other as they vied for USC DT Shaun Cody, who went 2/37 to the Lions in the 2005 draft. 

This is all to say nothing of how name, image and likeness have changed the game for players like USC QB Caleb Williams, who’s appearing in Wendy’s commercials these days. It begs the question: is there value in mining these series for tips on what kind of players these prospects will be under the bright lights of the NFL? We asked some friends in scouting, and this is what they told us.

  • “I think you can glean some information from those docs and reality shows from a personality standpoint. I don’t know if you remember the QB1 documentary, it was a camp . . . do you remember the one with (South Carolina QB) Spencer Rattler? It really showed him as this bratty, cocky, demeaning (guy) when he was ripping on the other quarterbacks there, and he came across as a real jerk. You hear some of these schools talking about how he was on school visits, so I think there’s something you can get from those documentaries as far as personality.”
  • “I think it can be helpful. It does give you insight to the person that is being featured. . . You just need to make sure it is valid and not just a spin piece. It really can show you how a player interacts with teammates and other staff.”
  • “No questions these shows help get inside the true person. Just like the combine has always taped interviews, it is a window into the person’s thoughts and lives without actually having to be there. . . Reality shows catch them with their guard down.”
  • “Sure they are. If scouts are willing to do the extra work, there can be all kinds of background information – family and support system, influences, maturity, life skills, attitudes, motivations, work ethic, goals, etc.”
  • “You get a snapshot of the character of the young man and his family. A lot of times you can see who are needy parents and who are good parents. Family background tells you what these players are really playing for and how to coach/motivate them. Some parents are (pains in the ass) and some are cool. Our head coach always wants to meet the parents at pro days to feel them out. Important to learn who shapes these young men.”

Every aspiring NFL player needs to understand that scouts are always watching, and they have more to watch these days than ever. If you’re a draft prospect, or you’re close to one, do them a favor and remind them of this, especially if a camera is nearby.

For more discussion of the draft and player evaluation, make sure to check out our weekly newsletter, the Friday Wrap. Register for it here.

Google and the Rising Cost of Sunday Ticket

25 Friday Aug 2023

Posted by in Getting started

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This week, we turn our blog over to NFL Draft Bible’s Ric Serritella, who not only produces our annual NFL Combine Seminars, but who is very knowledgeable and in tune with the technology behind the game. 

Have you ever woke up on Sunday morning and checked the local listings to see which NFL games will be televised in your market, only to turn on the TV to discover the game has been blacked out? It happens more frequently than you may know. There’s an explanation, according to a $6B class-action lawsuit filed in US federal court, which accuses the NFL and DirecTv of conspiring to limit the availability of televised games in the NFL’s attempt to artificially inflate the price of Sunday Ticket.  

Google, which has since purchased the rights to Sunday Ticket (a deal reportedly worth $14B), is now entangled in the case and is being accused of withholding evidence that could be used to prosecute claims in court. The story is developing.  

There is a large portion of NFL fans and the league’s commercial clients who are fed up with the price-fixing antics as evidenced by the 2.4M people and 48,000 business owners listed in the lawsuit. Attorneys are demanding answers in court and want the hidden data from Google uncovered in what could go down as the largest media payout settlement in history. 

Last season, the cost of NFL Sunday Ticket on DirecTv was $300. This year, on Google’s YouTube platform, the cost has increased to $449. Want RedZone? Add an additional $50, which brings the total costs north of $500 after taxes and fees – nearly a 70% increase! YouTube subscribers are being offered a ‘discount’ price of $349 annually ($299 before the season) but you’ll be on the hook for an additional $72.99/monthly cable service bill ($875/year). That’s beaucoup bucks! 

One of the biggest dilemmas for consumers who do seek the ‘discounted’ subscriber rate model is that they are already locked into an existing streaming service or cable provider contract. Google has made no attempt to reimburse early termination fees for new customers at this time, a tactic often implemented by cell phone companies.  

So where does the case go from here? The antitrust litigation is set for February of 2024. If found guilty of the accusations, the NFL could be on the hook for a $6B claim. It’s a figure that would represent a $187.5M hit in the wallet for each of the 32 organizations.

Google’s acquisition allows the company the rights to sell NFL Sunday Ticket through 2030, at which time cable cords may be obsolete.  

For those of you who wish to track this case, it’s Ninth Inning Inc dba The Mucky Duck v. Google LLC, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 5;23-mc-80213-NC. We will be sure to keep tabs on the case’s progress here at ITL, since none of the NFL media rights-owned outlets, nor any of the mainstream media, picked up on this story.  

Make sure to follow along with all things football business in our weekly newsletter, which goes out at 7:30 p.m. ET every Friday. Sign up for it here.

 

 

 

2023 NFL Agent Class: What Do Agencies Look Like Today?

18 Friday Aug 2023

Posted by in Agent Exam, Agents, Uncategorized

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In 2-3 weeks, the people who took the 2023 NFL Agent Exam will get their results. As we’ve discussed previously, we expect a higher-than-usual passing rate based on the feedback we’ve gotten so far from test-takers. While that’s good news, what’s the bad news (as well as the good) as they enter the ranks of NFL player representatives on October 1?

Here’s a look at the NFL agent body today.

Controlled by the big agencies: While there’s been diversity in which firms represent the No. 1 overall pick, there’s not a lot of diversity when it comes to which firms consistently land the top players. For example, at ITL, we’ve tabulated draft “value points” (see here for an explanation) going back to 2007. Since 2007, 14 firms have more than 20,000 points. Some of them are defunct, but those who are still active are, in order, CAA, Athletes First, Independent Sports, Rep1 Sports, Sportstars, SportsTrust Advisors, Rosenhaus Sports, Octagon Football, BC Sports, Priority Sports and Klutch Sports Group. These are the firms that consistently dominate the first three rounds. Then you have another 20 schools who have between 5,000 and 15,000 value points that are a consistent presence in the draft, though not always on Days 1 and 2. These firms are Roc Nation Sports, Wasserman Sports, 1 of 1 Agency, WME Sports, Allegiant Athletic Agency, NC Sports, Enter-Sports, Alliance Management, The Sports and Entertainment Group, United Sports Group, Equity Sports (formerly Steinberg Sports), VaynerSports, JL Sports, Universal Sports and The Ballengee Group (again, some of the points leaders have gone out of business). After that, there are about a dozen other firms that are a regular part of the draft. If you’re not part of one of those 40 agencies, you’ve got a real uphill battle.

Allied with entertainers: This week, we learned that Druski, who gained fame making people laugh on social media platforms, has launched his own sports agency. Jay-Z, Darius Rucker, Lil Wayne and others have entered the arena in the last 10 years, and another big-name entertainer joins the business about every other year. The star power musicians bring has produced mixed results, honestly, but the fact remains that merely being attached to someone with fame and presence is quite the door-opener.

Heavily clustered: If you live on the coasts or in major metropolitan areas, you’re one of many contract advisors in your area. There are 30 agents in Greater Nashville. There are 28 in Miami proper, 39 in the five boroughs of New York City. There are almost a hundred agents in Southern California alone, 30 in Greater Houston and 44 in  Greater Dallas. On the other hand, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming are states with no registered contract advisors.

There are other factors to consider, but these are some of the geographic and business aspects of the business that are pretty fundamental to understanding what today’s player representation firm looks like. For greater detail on this and other topics related to the football industry, make sure you’re reading our newsletter. You can register for it here.

 

My Story, and How It Might Benefit You

10 Thursday Aug 2023

Posted by in Getting started, ITL

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Later today, I will join my friend Billy Yancey on his podcast, Billy and the GOAT. Billy and I played together at Navy — well, I should say, he played and I sat — but we’ve stayed in touch over the years, and I was honored that he would ask me to join him as a guest on his show. 

I must admit that the closer it got to taping, the more nervous I got. What would I say? What points did I have to make? Here’s what I came up with as the key factors in  my journey so far.

Put God first: In a time when nothing is lasting and everything is relative, you must have guardrails. To me, if you don’t have God in your life, you will struggle to determine true north. Even as I write this at 54, I have a long way to go before I am the Christian I want and need to be. However, I won’t stop striving to be that person. Having a personal relationship with Christ keeps me on that path.

Take a different path: Speaking of paths, it’s crucial to go in a unique and original way. It’s not because you want to be self-aggrandizing or “me”-centered, but because you will have a whole lot less competition that way. For example, if I had chosen to try to become an NFL agent, I would have been contending with a lot of people who are much smarter, greater-resourced, more connected, and overall just better than I am. If I’ve ever been smart about anything, it’s that I was smart enough to take a road less traveled. Even today, what we do at ITL is a pretty vast departure from almost anything else out there. That means my audience is smaller, but it also gives me a measure of security.

Surround yourself with people invested in you: Sometimes those people will tell you to press on. Sometimes they will tell you hard truths. Either way, if you know these people have your best interests at heart, you can trust their counsel. There are so many people like that who’ve been part of my life. Wherever it is I am, and whatever it is I’ve achieved, neither would be possible without these people. I’m a pretty big advocate of marriage, and my wife, Polly, has been the pivotal person in my life, professionally and personally, but it’s more than just your spouse. There are so many people I’ve encountered along the way who have pushed me, encouraged me, or both. You have to have these people.

Be genuine: When I was a younger man, and thought of myself as destined for greatness on a wide scale, I never thought about the relationships along the way. In my hubris, I thought that taking time to listen to others, hear their stories and try to meet them where they are would be left to others. As God has helped me better understand my purpose (and taken me down a few notches), I’ve tried to be a servant of my clients. I don’t think that happens if you don’t take time to listen to them, learn about them, and truly care about how you can meet their needs. That may not be the road to success for others, but it’s the only way I know how to do what I do now.  

I’ll have stories and examples to illustrate these points in the podcast. Not sure yet when Billy will post it, but I’ll be sure to tweet it when he does. I’ll also include it in the Friday Wrap. You can register for the Wrap here. 

A Deeper Look at NFL Scouting Changes

04 Friday Aug 2023

Posted by in Scouts

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In last week’s edition of the Friday Wrap, we delved into scouting changes over the last three years, especially as it relates to the number of scouts entering the league as scouting assistants and those who are hired (or promoted) as area scouts. Over the last three years, at least, we found that about 30 new area/college scouts are hired and about 20 scouting assistants (31 and 21, respectively, to be exact).

We got a lot of positive feedback, so we decided to expand our look into the numbers. Here’s a look at a few other numbers we found at different strata of the industry.

Directors (college): Here I’m looking strictly at college director, i.e., how many scouts are making the jump to the executive level. I’m not counting Directors of Player Personnel, which is another jump entirely. So, how many scouts typically “graduate” from scout to Director (or Assistant Director) of College Scouting each year? We counted six this offseason, 16 last year (a whopping eight assistant college directors were named) and 10 in 2021. That means you’re looking at about 11 people who elevate above the area scout/national scout level each offseason.

National scouts: So how many people are “on deck,” traditionally speaking, for the director level? Just three National Scouts were hired this offseason, a big surprise given the recent trend to split up over-the-top roles into two and sometimes three evaluators. Last year, for example, we saw 19 National Scouts hired, and in 2021, a similarly robust 11. Once again, an average of 11 scouts make the national grade every year, though I could see this number falling as most teams have already divided up the role. I don’t see any teams going to four National Scouts anytime soon.

Pro scouts: This one is tricky to measure because we’re seeing more and more seasoned evaluators who are being given dual pro/scout roles. What’s more, we don’t know yet if teams who are expanding their analytics departments are also expanding their budgets or taking from their college/pro departments? Based on the numbers, it seems like pro departments are holding up quite well despite expanding data departments. We counted nine pro scout hires this offseason, 16 last offseason and 17 in 2021 (all of these hires were solely pro scouts — no college/pro hires were part of these numbers). That makes for an average of 14 pro scouts hired per year. More often than not, we’re seeing scouting assistants moved into pro roles as their first full-time gig. Incidentally, we’re seeing plenty of advancement in pro departments, as well, with director-level evaluators growing. Later this month, we’ll look at the size of all 32 scouting departments and the growth trends. 

Hopefully, if you’re an NFL scout or hope to be someday, this helps you understand the picture of how front offices are staffed, and at what pace they turn over.

We’ll discuss this more in today’s Friday Wrap. You can register for it here.

2023 NFL Agent Exam: Three Takeaways

28 Friday Jul 2023

Posted by in Agent Exam, Agents, Getting started

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The big test is in the books for this year. After speaking to dozens of our clients post-exam, here’s what we’ve learned.

Tech issues were better, but they didn’t completely go away. As we discussed in our report on Monday, proctoring centers were mostly — but not completely — a hit. One Atlanta-area testing facility couldn’t test its 8 a.m. class, requiring them to re-register for later the same day or Tuesday. The following slot was affected, as well. When there was yet another issue, test-takers had to find a new location altogether. One aspiring agent had to fly out of state (buying a ticket for the next day, which is never cheap) to take the exam. There were also several test-takers based in South Florida who were told Sunday night (about 12 hours before they were to test) that the testing facility would not be open, and that someone would reach out to them in 3-5 business days. We don’t know how that situation was resolved. It’s our hope that they didn’t have to wait until next year. Yet another agent hopeful had to resubmit all his answers with just minutes left in his three-hour slot. Overall, however, things went smoothly enough that we’d guess the NFLPA stays status quo for ’24. Still, don’t rule out a return to Washington, D.C.

The test may have been a little easier this year. Every year, we make sure to focus on the computation of the trickier math of the CBA, i.e., workman’s comp offsets, injury grievances, veterans salary benefit, proven performance escalator, etc. However, we heard from several test-takers that there were fewer problems that required a calculator. Furthermore, while many of the questions were tricky and designed to determine if agent candidates really knew the material, several people who took the exam last year said it was just easier. “I think that this year they intentionally made the test easier,” said one aspiring contract advisor. What’s more, many more than usual first-timers told us the test was really straightforward, and that they expect to pass. Obviously, that might be false confidence, but the positive responses were unmistakeable. I’m expecting a slightly bigger class than normal. 

The reviews on our exam prep materials were really good. I never ask for positive reviews on our study guide, exams and videos, but obviously, it’s great to have happy clients. Once again, we got several unsolicited texts that made for pleasant reading. “I was prepared and organized, big thanks to you guys,” said one aspiring agent. “your study guide was a tremendous benefit . . . I will definitely be recommending people to you bro!,” texted another. “I really appreciate your time. Your promptness. Your effort. Your patience,” added yet another. That’s probably the most satisfying comment. We take seriously our efforts to help people pass the exam. 

We’ll be talking about the industry even more, as usual, in today’s Friday Wrap. Make sure to register for it if you haven’t already. You can do that here.

 

2023 NFL Agent Exam: How Do Our Materials Help?

21 Friday Jul 2023

Posted by in Agents, Getting started

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The big day for everyone taking the NFLPA Exam this summer is Monday. Pretty crazy that, after all this buildup, it’s just around the corner. So many people have been preparing since early this year (and some much longer), and it all comes to a hopefully happy ending in three days.

Obviously, we try hard to make sure everyone we work with gets good news in October, when results come out. However, predicting success is difficult. Or is it? As a way of predicting which of our clients will have success, we decided to look at last year’s buying patterns among our clients who passed the exam. Here’s what we found:

  • Seventy percent purchased the ITL Study Guide. That’s no surprise. We see it as the best exam prep resource on the market. “I actually feel better after reading the study guide about literally 20 times,” said one especially diligent student for this year’s exam. “There is no way I would even have a chance on this test without the study guide . . . .” 
  • Of those who purchased the guide, 63 percent had it before the end of April, while 72 percent had it before the end of May. It’s never too late to buy it, but the earlier, the better, generally.
  • Not everyone bought a study guide, but those who didn’t mostly purchased at least one of our two practice exams. Only 14 percent of our class passed on the study guide and practice exams, sticking only to our videos. You must buy Exam 1 first, which you can do here. 
  • Our practice exams are a big part of our prep services, as well. About two-thirds (64 percent) of our clients bought at least the first practice exam. Frankly, that’s surprisingly low. Our exam questions are written in the style of the actual exam, and knowing what the test looks like is crucial if you want to pass.
  • Just under half (45 percent) of our clients last year bought the second exam. Given that the second exam is only half the price of the first exam, that’s an unnecessary risk, in my opinion. 
  • Sixty percent of those who bought the study guide took no chances as they also bought both practice exams. 
  • In just our first year offering monthly video sessions teaching different facets of the CBA, 25 percent of our clients bought at least one of our six videos. 
  • Only 16 percent attended our final, two-hour Zoom review session.

So here are our takeaways.

  • Get the study guide, and get it as soon as you can.
  • Buy at least Practice Exam 1. 
  • If you’re more of a visual learner, check out our six videos (buy them here), though they may serve best as a backup plan.
  • If you feel confident about what you’ve learned, take the last days before the exam to “sweep up” and collect your thoughts.

If you’re taking our exam, good luck! We hope you pass, especially if you worked with us. For more tips and info on the exam, check out our Friday Wrap. You can register for it here.

Five Tips on Passing the ’23 NFL Agent Exam from Last Year’s Test-Takers

14 Friday Jul 2023

Posted by in Agents, Getting started, ITL

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We’re currently 11 days away from the 2023 NFL Agent Exam. If you’re taking the test, that should give you pause (and perhaps scare you to death). But it doesn’t have to be that way. Though the exam is not at all easy, you can pass it if you approach it the right way.

This week, I reached out to several of the contract advisors we worked with during the 2022 exam prep phase. Not only did all of them pass the exam last summer, but they also were among the rare rookie agents who landed players on NFL rosters in their first year in the business (one even had a player drafted).

Here’s what they told me about how they pulled off passing the test.

  • Organize your notes: This was probably the most popular advice of all. It’s not just making sure you have a copy of the CBA printed out and neatly tucked into a binder. It’s much more than that. “I had three binders plus my outline on test day,” said David Gregory, the only independent first-year agent to have a player drafted this spring. “(I had) a binder for CBA with all charts that I knew I would use frequently placed up front; a binder for the drug and performance-enhancing substance policies, and a binder for all side documents and other policies.” Said EJ Gonzalez of Grady Sports: “I set up my notes on my desk the day before (the exam) in a way that I knew where everything was, then reviewed where everything was the morning of and again before I took it.” “I had page numbers of where to find certain topics next to each section within my notes,” said Samantha Blitzer of Goal Line Football. “That way, if I had to refer to the CBA, I wasn’t scrambling to find it.”
  • Pay attention at the NFLPA seminar: You can glean a lot of what will actually be tested from the three days of classes provided pre-exam. “They aren’t speaking for their health,” Gonzalez said. “They are telling you what’s on it. I took 10-12 pages (front and back) of notes during the seminar and I remember a couple answers just being based off seminar notes.” At the same time, it’s important to keep your sense of humor. “The (questions asked in the online) chat functions . . . were hilarious,” said Juan Lozano of Red Envelope Sports. “They gave me a lot of confidence because I knew some people were asking ridiculous questions and they would have no chance passing that test if they were asking those questions a day before the exam.”
  • Give yourself plenty of time: Obviously, there’s no way to turn back the clock, but hopefully you didn’t begin preparations this week. “I started studying in January, so I gave myself plenty of time to get to know the material,” said Alex Broers of Vantage Management Group.
  • Pace yourself/don’t rush: Making sure you don’t spend too much time early in the exam, forcing you to rush late, was a recurring theme. “You only have three minutes per question, so you don’t have a lot of time,” Broers said. Added Gregory,  “I made sure I was done with 20 questions by the end of Hour 1 and 40 questions by the end of Hour 2, etc. If you’re not sure, just answer the question and come back to it at the end. if you have time.”
  • Read the questions carefully: “They will throw fluff in there that has nothing to do with the answer,” Blitzer said. “On the test, they definitely try to trick you with how they word questions rather than which topic the question is referring to. There will be one or two words that will completely change the scenario, so keep an eye out for that.”

If you found these tips helpful, we’ve got more. In this evening’s Friday Wrap, we’ll have five more, straight from the people who were successful in passing the exam last summer. You don’t want to miss them, and you won’t as long as you register for the Wrap, which you can do here.

NFL Agent Exam 2023: Here’s Why People Fail

06 Thursday Jul 2023

Posted by in Agents, Getting started

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If you read this blog consistently (or pretty much any of ITL’s materials), you know that I estimate that there’s only about a 25 percent passing rate for aspiring agents in their first try at the test (it’s around 50 percent for the second try). The NFLPA is serious about not letting just anyone become a contract advisor.

So why is the passing rate so low? Why do so many people fail, especially the first time around? Here’s what I think.

  • The test is hard: In the early 2010s, the exam was pretty tough, but manageable. Our clients passed at a 75 percent rate, a pretty comfortable level. If you put your time in and used good study materials, you had a decent shot at passing. However, in 2015, the exam took a turn toward much greater difficulty, much to the surprise of everyone who took it. Every year, when I speak to the most recent test-takers, there are many who say the exam is easy. I applaud them for their preparation and intelligence, but for the vast majority of people, it’s quite a challenge.
  • Pride: Everyone who takes the exam is an accomplished person. The overwhelming majority have, at the very least, a graduate degree. Only about 14 percent of the population has a master’s, a Ph.D, a diploma from law school, etc. Start there. Then consider that many are top-notch attorneys, business owners, or otherwise established professionals. It’s natural that many of them don’t think an open-book, multiple choice exam presents much of a challenge. 
  • Procrastination: Listen, I can put things off with the best of them, but the agent exam is nothing to leave until the last minute. I used to say 60 days was sufficient, but I kinda feel 90 days is more appropriate given the volume of material in the CBA. Still, it never fails that despite all my warnings, we see a serious uptick in sales of our exam prep materials starting on July 1. Some don’t even start studying until a week out. Hey, some of those people even pass, but not many. I realize $2,500 is not much money to some people, but to me, waiting to start studying in July is tantamount to setting that money on fire.
  • Excessive frugality, i.e., being cheap: If you’re taking the exam, you should be prepared to set aside at least $500 on materials that will help you pass. That’s the floor. We have a number of excellent, proven materials, but we aren’t the only service on the market, and there are other good ones out there. Bottom line, this is a business that demands that you spend money sometimes. The pre-exam phase is one of those times. 

Are there other reasons people fail? Maybe, but these are the main reasons. If you’re taking the exam, please don’t fall victim to one of the above reasons (though it’s too late if you were hoping to avoid procrastination). I know you want to pass, and we want you to pass, too. Give us a shot. Here’s a little more info about what we offer. Also, make sure to sign up for our newsletter, the Friday Wrap, for information on what’s ahead over the next two-plus weeks. 

 

2023 NFL Agent Exam: Five Topics You Must Master to Pass

28 Wednesday Jun 2023

Posted by in Agents, Getting started

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Earlier this month, I wanted to gauge the subjects in the CBA that our test-takers are struggling with most, so I put together a poll. It was pretty straightforward, and listed 19 topics. I asked participants to choose 10, but five easily garnered the most support. 

If you’re taking the exam in 26 days, I thought you might benefit from knowing what other people taking the exam are spending most of their time reviewing. Here’s a rundown of the most popular (?) topics, along with the number who listed it as among the most challenging:

Workman’s comp offsets/extended injury compensation (82 percent): This one is a biggie, obviously, which is why almost all our respondents chose it as an important topic to cover. Our CBA expert Ian Greengross, who heads instruction on all our video sessions, covers this topic in our April Zoom session. In fact, he spends a quarter of the hour-long session on this one topic. You can order it here ($35 plus tax).

Draft signals (65 percent): This one is hard because you have to gather information from a rather involved chart, then applying it to other information gathered from a different chart and doing a little math. Tracking and referencing the right chart is a big part of success on the agent exam. This topic is also covered in our April video, which you can order here. 

Exclusive rights free agency, restricted free agency, transition tag, franchise tag, exclusive franchise tag (65 percent): Like sorting out an accrued season, a season of earned credit for benefits, and a season of earned credit for salary, knowing the various levels of free agency based on player experience is critical. This is covered in our March video, which you can order here.

Termination pay (59 percent): Being able to compute what a player has coming based on his annual salary, when he made the team, when he got released, and how many weeks are left, isn’t complicated, but still can trip you up. Ian spent more than a fourth of the hour in May discussing this; you can order the video here. 

Veteran Salary Benefit (59 percent): This is another topic that requires you get all your charts straight and otherwise follow the rules established by the 2020 CBA. Not complicated, per se, but you better make sure you don’t get lost in all the numbers. This topics is also covered in the May video, which you can order here.

If you’re looking for a video rundown of almost every hot topic in the CBA, you can pick up all five of our sessions so far (February, March, April, May and June) for $175 plus tax. Order them all here. 

Whether or not you use any of our videos, I hope you find the answers you seek. My advice: whether you use or materials or someone else’s, do not go cheap in trying to pass the exam. It’s incredibly challenging, and you’ll want to take advantage of every resource you can find to make things clearer and easier to understand.