The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has requested information from 20 universities regarding the compliance of sports agents with the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (SPARTA). The law, enacted in 2004, sets out requirements for sports agents working with student athletes, including specific disclosures and timely notification to educational institutions.
Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, stated: “Agents that work with student athletes have responsibilities and legal requirements including notifying colleges and universities when their student athletes have signed agent contracts. This inquiry is aimed at better understanding whether sports agents are complying with the law and the degree to which student athletes are being protected.”
SPARTA mandates that agents provide required disclosures containing specific language before entering into a contract with a student athlete. Agents must also notify the athlete’s school within 72 hours after signing or before the next athletic event in which the athlete is eligible to participate, whichever comes first. Additionally, SPARTA prohibits agents from recruiting student athletes through false or misleading information, false promises or representations, or by offering anything of value prior to an agency contract.
The FTC sent letters to NCAA Division I schools requesting details such as dates when agents notified schools about contracts with student athletes, names of involved agents, and any complaints or reports received concerning agent-athlete relationships. The universities are expected to respond by March 23, 2026.
Concerns related to sports agents’ compliance with SPARTA can be reported directly to the FTC by students, parents, or educational institutions.
Joshua M. Bransford from the FTC’s East Central Regional Office is leading this initiative.
The FTC’s mission includes promoting competition and protecting consumers through education and enforcement actions. More information on consumer issues can be found at consumer.ftc.gov. Reports on fraud or questionable business practices can be submitted at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
