Consider the work that goes into becoming a top notch sports agent and you may focus on contractual, marketing, branding, and negotiating skills. And while those are vital parts, the truth is, being a sports agent is about building relationships.

No one knows this better than our new Soccer Agent course mentor, Sky Andrew.

Andrew’s first big client was childhood friend Sol Campbell. Campbell and Andrew met as teenagers, both training at Lilleshall, a School for Excellence, Campbell for soccer and Andrew for table tennis. The two struck up a friendship, built a relationship on trust and loyalty, and when the time came that Campbell needed an agent, he sought out his old friend.

This was the early 90’s, before Sol Campbell was a household name.

The central defender went on to play in the premier league for 20-years and at the international level representing England for 11, but back them he was just another player trying to make a name for himself.  Andrew helped negotiate Campbells first deal with Tottenham Hotspur, amazingly, he took no cut of the deal, instead choosing to deepen his relationship and bond with Campbell.

Andrew had been a top-notch table tennis player, competing in the Olympics and winning three Commonwealth games gold medals, a World Cup silver, and 14 National table tennis titles. He knew to really make a go of being an agent he needed a long-term focus on personal relationships. That is what would help him build a client base.

By 2001, Andrew was the most talked about agent in soccer as he negotiated Campbell’s controversial move to Arsenal, and built his small firm into one of the most powerful in England.

Since the initial signing of Campbell, Andrew has gone on to represent many high profile soccer players and television personalities including Jermaine Pennant, Jonathan Fortune, Adam Kwasarey, Marvin Sordell and Jay Boothroyd. Other clients include James Anderson, Frank Bruno, TV presenters Sarah-Jane Mee and Natalie Sawyer. Personal relationships with his clients are just as important today as they were in the 1990’s.

At Sports Management Worldwide we stress the importance of relationship building and ethical behavior in our agency classes, which explains why we are so excited to add Sky Andrew to our faculty.

Sign up today for our 8-week online Soccer Agent course and you can learn from one of the true stars in soccer agency, Sky Andrew.

About the Author: Dr. Lynn Lashbrook is the President and Founder of Sports Management Worldwide, the first ever online sports management school with a mission to educate future sports business executives.

Dr. Lashbrook has been involved in the sports industry for over 40 years and is a respected voice in the industry, having contributed to ESPN, Comcast SportsNet, Forbes, SiriusXM, CNBC, Rugby World, The New York Times, the London Free Press, Yahoo Sports and many more. 

As a certified NFL agent, Dr. Lashbrook has represented over 100 NFL clients, including former 1st rounder Mark Fields, 9-time Pro Bowler Brian Dawkins and Miami Dolphins Quarterback Matt Moore. He is a passionate and enthusiastic teacher, known for helping students strategize ways to reach their career goals in the world of sports.