In 1997, the NCAA urged the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) to consider drafting a model law to provide uniformity to the regulation of agents.

NCCUSL, a national organization that drafts uniform and model state laws, established an 11-person drafting committee that over three years created the Uniform Athlete Agent Act (UAAA). Representatives from the NCAA staff, various professional players associations, athlete agents and others who were interested in the agent situation participated.

Currently, 17 jurisdictions have passed the UAAA -- 15 states plus the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia. The act has not been defeated in states where it has not been introduced; instead, it has failed to complete the legislative cycle because of time constraints.

"The NCAA supports the UAAA and its adoption in every state," said Bill Saum, NCAA director of agent, gambling and amateurism activities. "There can be significant damage resulting from the impermissible and often illegal practices of some agents. The UAAA is an important tool in regulating the activities of agents and protecting NCAA student-athletes and member institutions."

The UAAA's main purpose is to protect student-athletes and NCAA member institutions by providing them with uniform regulations for agents. Currently, every state has a different law about agent activity; the UAAA will provide uniformity and consistency among all states.

The UAAA provides reciprocal registration, allowing agents who have registered in one state to be registered in all states. The act informs institutions within 72 hours -- or before the next scheduled athletics contest, whichever comes first -- when an athlete or prospect signs an agency contract. It also provides access to professional and criminal information on the athlete agent in question, allowing student-athletes, parents and institutions the ability to better evaluate the agent.

"Knowing an agent has been certified is like a security blanket," said Jason Doering, a current professional football player who formerly played at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. "It gives you a sense that you can trust them, and that is important."

Finally, the act allows the secretary of state in participating states subpoena power to obtain relevant materials to better enforce the law. It also provides for criminal, civil and administrative penalties at the state level.

"The UAAA will level the playing field for agents and the student-athletes," said Lynn Lashbrook, founder and president of the Sports Management agency. "We have to address this problem and protect the concept of the student-athlete. The UAAA is an excellent idea, and we must strive to implement it."

A federal bill also is being introduced by Reps. Bart Gordon, D-Tennessee, and Tom Osborne, R-Nebraska. It could serve as a second line of defense against unscrupulous agents and their illegal activity.

"Although passing the UAAA at the state level is our primary concern, the federal bill will be a backstop for states that have not passed the UAAA law yet," Saum said.

-- Crissy Kaesebier