Athlete agents: conflicts of interest.

Existing law, the Miller-Ayala Athlete Agents Act, the violation of which is a crime, regulates specified activities of an athlete agent in representing or seeking to represent student athletes and professional athletes. Under this act, an agent is prohibited from having an ownership or financial interest in any entity that is directly involved in the same sport as a person the agent represents, as specified. This bill would instead prohibit an athlete agent from having an ownership or financial interest in an entity that directly employs athletes in the same sport as a person the agent represents, as specified. Existing law prohibits an athlete agent from dividing fees with or receiving compensation from a professional sports league, team, or other organization or its representatives or employees. This bill would limit the prohibition on an athlete agent dividing fees or receiving compensation to fees or compensation directly related to on-field activities of athletes or other representation of the league, team, or organization directly related to athlete employment. This bill would repeal an obsolete provision.