Since 1995, the Committee on Agent Regulations and Discipline (CARD) has been charged with overseeing agent regulations and certification.
“The regulations ensure that NFL players have competent and ethical representation on an individual level,” said NFLPA President and CARD member Kevin Mawae.
The NFLPA has authority to regulate the conduct of agents who represent players; determine the number of agents to be certified; and determine the grounds for withdrawing or denying certification of an agent.
To become certified as a contract advisor (and to maintain status as an agent), an individual must:
1. Pass a background check;
2. Pass a written exam;
3. Attend an annual seminar on salary cap trends;
4. Agree to a 3 percent maximum fee;
5. Agree to be bound by NFLPA regulations.
“The Regulations create a competitive and level playing field for agents who represent or aspire to represent NFL players,” said CARD and Executive Committee member Mark Bruener. Some of CARD’s regulation initiatives designed to level competition include:
1. Limiting communication between an agent and a prospective player who is ineligible for the NFL draft;
2. Limiting communication with players who are under contract with another agent;
3. Requiring agents to disclose the coaches he or she represents;
4. Requiring the agent to disclose the person or persons whom the agent has paid or promised to pay to assist in signing a player to a Standard Representation Agreement.
There are currently 850 certified contract advisors. Since 1993, 137 agents have been disciplined by CARD for violations involving an agent’s relationship with NFL players. The discipline imposed on agents by CARD ranges from a letter of reprimand to revocation of certification.