Forty-eight prospective agents took the MLB Players Association agent certification test last month, with seven of them taking it in Spanish.
The MLBPA has been giving agent applicants the opportunity to take the test in Spanish since the inception of the exam in 2015. It’s believed to be the only U.S. sports union to give the test in a language other than English.
“Almost a third of players are Latin and many work directly with agents who are predominantly Spanish speakers,” Robert Guerra, MLBPA assistant general counsel, said in an email. “Spanish-speaking agents often discuss players’ rights and responsibilities with their clients in Spanish, so it only makes sense to offer the exam in the same language in which they communicate with the players they represent.”
The MLBPA administers the exam twice a year, in January and August. Applicants must pass a background check by an independent agency before they can take it. MLBPA attorneys conduct a full-day study session the day before the test.
“During the course of preparing for the exam and attending our review session, prospective Players Association-certified agents also learn to identify issues that could affect their clients and become better prepared to work with the Players Association to respond in a timely and appropriate fashion,” Guerra said.
Exam-takers are quizzed on the MLB Basic Agreement (the sport’s collective-bargaining agreement), the Joint Drug Agreement, Agent Regulations and Major League rules. Applicants have up to three hours to take the exam, which is multiple choice.
The MLBPA offers two levels of agent certification: General and limited. General-certified agents may negotiate major league contracts with MLB clubs. Limited agents may recruit clients and provide client maintenance services on behalf of a general-certified agent.
Of this latest group of prospective agents, 33 sat for the general certification exam and 15 sat for the limited. Four women took the test. Test-takers will be informed of their results in the next few weeks. There are currently 425 MLBPA-certified agents.
■ SPORTSTARS SIGN PETERSON: Sportstars has signed former NFL MVP Adrian Peterson and negotiated the veteran running back’s deal last month to join the Washington Redskins.
Sportstars agent Ron Slavin is representing Peterson, who was a longtime client of Ben Dogra but in recent years was represented by Tracy Lartigue.
Two-time world champion surfer John John Florence has signed with CAA Sports.Getty Images
■ CAA GOES SURFING: CAA Sports has signed Hawaiian champion surfer John John Florence, who is pursuing a spot in the inaugural Olympic surfing competition, for representation in all areas.
CAA Sports agents Lowell Taub and Lis Moss are representing Florence, who is one of five surfers in men’s Championship Tour history to win his first two world titles in consecutive years — 2016 and 2017. He was previously unrepresented.
Surfing will make its debut as an Olympic sport in 2020 in Tokyo.
■ UTA SIGNS ACHO: United Talent Agency has signed ESPN college football analyst Emmanuel Acho for representation. Acho is a former linebacker who played for the Texas Longhorns and spent four seasons in the NFL before becoming a broadcaster. UTA agents Jerry Silbowitz and Ryan Hayden are representing him. He formerly was represented by Wasserman.
Liz Mullen can be reached at lmullen@sportsbusinessjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @SBJLizMullen.
