Rhonnie's Blog
  • 12:49 PM ET  09.24
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I'm a 24 year old black female who is a third year law student at at top twenty law school.  I have a STRONG interest in working in sports.  Originally, I flirted with the notion of agency.  However, I am beginning to accept that a woman cannot succeed in this profession.  Every athlete I meet could care less to talk business with me (despite my professionalism,) their attentions are elsewhere if you get my drift.  Additionally, every sports professional (to include agents ranging from David Falk to James Tanner, and several NFL, and NFLPA attorneys) also share a similar view...they assure me that a woman let a lone a black woman cannot succeed in the agency profession.   In one conversation "that women don't know sports...and you cannot hire an employee who doesn't know their trade."  As a result of these forms of overt discrimination, I have accepted defeat and I am not aiming to work in the employment/labor sector and eventually go inhouse for a franchise (essentially be a lawyer for a sports team.)  Teams are forced to adhere to Title VII.  I just wanted to know what you all think about a black woman being an agent...feasible or not?  Also, what do you think is the biggest hinderence my sex or my race?
September 24, 2007  01:09 PM ET

I know the money is not nearly the same, but you could represent other female athletes. Once you have established yourself maybe you could move towards professional men's sports.
Or, work for an agency and establish yourself before you start your own agency.
Don't give up on your dream!

September 24, 2007  01:16 PM ET

I concur with 1Hawkeye. Don't give up. If that's what you want then go for it. You won't have an easy road, but you could be a pioneer for other women like yourself who would like to work in the field but cannot. I wish you the best regardless of whether you pursue this venture or any other. My apologies also from the rest of the human race, as any person should be embarrassed to hear of discrimination of any type at all. Perhaps you could start a group on here for female users and also those aspiring to be agents. Just some thoughts.

September 24, 2007  01:20 PM ET

Thanks for the suggestions....and no I don't let me personal feelings of sexual, racial or even age discrimination show in the professional setting. Trust me, while I am still young, I do know how to play the game...put a smile on your face and brush it off! Thats the one thing I got down...lol. Thanks guys!

September 24, 2007  01:23 PM ET

Yeah, don't try to pull that discrimination stuff. Just try to gain experience (which is ALWAYS the best thing you can do). Especially if you try to intern or something with an agency/agent. If you know the right people you can get in good with a company and go up from there. My goal is to work in the NFL either coaching or playing, possibly even management. I'm 17, it is a long road to that plateau and the only way to get there is to read, research, study, and learn as much as I can of the game of football (which I know well and continue to learn from others here as well as other places). I'd watch old films, etc, but it is kind of tough to get your hands on that kind of stuff...

I'd say just keep working at it...I've never heard of but a few agents (Drew Rosenhaus being the first to pop into my mind)....I don't think being a woman or a black woman at that is too much of an obstacle...

Then again...I don't know what it is like to be a black female...

September 24, 2007  01:29 PM ET

I don' t know what to say about this subject at this moment but I hope everthing work out for the best for you. BOB

September 25, 2007  12:21 PM ET

Although I don't know a ton on the subject, I'm sure like most business its more about who you know than your own qualifications. Also sex and racial discrimination still exist although the country has came a long way. Both are unfortunate. You seem very bright and passionate...I say don't give up on your dream job so soon. All it takes is for one agency to give you a chance to show your skills. Even if you have to accept a little bit of a "lesser" position to work in the sector that you are most interested in. Then it is up to you to make a name for yourself and move up. Best of Luck!

September 25, 2007  01:31 PM ET

I agree with Larry that age and experience are going to be a huge factor, but from what I understand of the business, your gender is "a problem." Think about the female sideline reporters in the NFL. They get lambasted far more than their male counterparts, because of the perception that they don't know sports, and only got the job because of some form of affirmative action. I think a lot of them do a terrible job too, Andrea Kramer in particular, but so do most of the men on the sidelines. It has nothing to do with their gender and everything to do with their inability to say anything interesting.

I imagine you'd have to work your way up to agent, starting off as some sort of apprentice, and finding an experienced agent to mentor you will be your biggest obstacle. Because they'd probably be extremely reluctant to let a woman into their world.

On a positive note, I don't think your race has anything to do with it. If so, it's miniscule.

September 25, 2007  01:59 PM ET

Thanks everyone once again for your comments...I really love sports and I am VERY passionate about agents redirecting their focus on the athletes short term interest...I am more focused on the long term (such as investment options, after career options, and post education.) I think athletes have a lot of potential to be movers and shakers in society and especially the black community, they just need to FOCUS and have someone who will invest in them!

September 26, 2007  03:50 PM ET

You can be my agent? Lol, I dont know I could make it somewhere. I can punt a ball 50 yards in the air with a high 3 hang time. Not the most recognized position, but its what I like to do.

September 26, 2007  09:42 PM ET

You can do anything you put your mind to, Rhonnie. With your intelligence, ingenuity and insight, you can easily be at the top of this sports field in no time flat. Contact me by direct fanmail, I know someone here in L.A. that could help you... and get you into that flyass Lam.

Ruby

September 26, 2007  09:54 PM ET

I think being a woman is a bigger obstacle. Once you prove you aren't some dumb woman that just wants to hang out with men, they will want someone with your intelligence on their side, not the competition.

September 30, 2007  03:45 PM ET

I know it must be difficult being a woman and trying to break into the business of being a sports agent. Keep your head up and keep trying. You can accomplish anything you put your mind to. You've already accomplished so much with law school (I'm a lawyer so I know it's tough). Good luck to you.

 
September 30, 2007  04:34 PM ET

SO, I am watching the CARDS game...DUH, RIGHT, LOL! Anyway, this game REALLY highlights just how much I despise Greg Gumble.....I don't like him, and I think he sucks...well not sucks, just not my favorite. So, I ask...why don't women ever get a shot at commentating...why are we reduced to sideline reporting?

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