The Kentucky Senate has passed legislation tightening the requirements under which sports agents operate in the Commonwealth. Both the University of Louisville and University of Kentucky have been mentioned in recent FBI investigations that allege agents paid or loaned money to college basketball recruits or their families.
Bill Sponsor Morgan McGarvey says the measure levies financial penalties following improper conduct by an agent.
“If something that happens where the university loses a title or loses a final four appearance, the university can sue the agent for actual damages including attorneys’ fees,” said McGarvey. “Plus the agent is subject to a fine and could also lose any money they would have made off of that student-athlete.”
McGarvey says the legislation expands the agent’s application process and sets prohibitions on agents’ communications with student athletes via social media. The bill was amended on the senate floor to exempt parents or guardians as registering as agents unless they expect to receive money for acting as an agent.
