Character Flaws Cause Contract Fallout

Off-the-field problems are resulting in mediocre contract terms for players. These players are dubbed "turds" by organization management and are less likely to earn salaries comparable to the talent they produce. Regardless of the number of games won, merchandise sold, or fans who's attendance is based on these "turds", owners are not willing to reciprocate compensation because they feel the risk-to-reward ratio is too volatile.

Cincinnati Bengals star receiver Chris Henry is the epitome of athletes with exceptional talent on the field who is a "turd" off the field. Frequent domestic disputes and alcohol infractions has caused him to appear more often in the courtroom than he does on the football field on Sunday's.

As an agent, how do you deal with such a "troubled turd" of a client? Do you continue to try and help them improve their character traits while creating a new network of people for them to be associated with, fight with management to focus simply on game production, or do you end the relationship and let them become a headache for someone else?

(ABOVE: Video from News 5, after Henry pleads guilty to charges of giving alcohol to minors)

NCAA Athletes Demand Corporate Opportunities

Major NCAA Division I student-athletes are not equally able to compete against conventional college students in the classroom and such a disadvantage is hindering their career opportunities. "How am I supposed to be able to study when I wake up at 6:30 am to go to the weight room, then class at 9:00 am until 3:30 pm, then lunch, followed by practice at 4:30 until 7:00, then weight room again until 9:00 pm, then shower and dinner, and now you expect me to study a respectable discipline?"-anonymous former captain of Big Ten football team

Student-athletes are required to miss classes, exams, and group study projects due to their demanding schedule. "We pay them to be on the field and they must make adult decisions"- anonymous Athletic Director. On the other hand, conventional students attend class, study, and explore the plethora of extracurricular and career enriching opportunities offered.

What needs to be done to ensure student-athletes have equal opportunities to develop successful career paths while in college?