LITTLE ROCK — A bill was filed Thursday to increase penalties on agents and others if they become involved in unscrupulous dealings with college athletes.
David Sanders, a Republican representative-elect from Little Rock, filed the bill for consideration during the 88th General Assembly, which starts Monday.
Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said he will include the measure in his legislative package.
The “Athlete Agent Reform Act of 2011” continues a ban on agents inducing college athletes to sign contracts with them by giving false information or by giving them gifts.
But it also covers those who arrange for gifts to be given, not just those who give the gifts.
And, it increases the crime from a misdemeanor to a felony. It will increase the maximum civil penalty from $50,000 to $250,000 and the possible jail time from one year to six years.
The bill defines an agent as anyone who represents himself as an agent, anyone authorized by the athlete to enter into an agreement, and anyone who works for or on behalf of an agent.
It does not include family members unless a family member solicits any form of benefit or gift banned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
McDaniel said he was unaware that anyone had ever been charged with the misdemeanor crime in Arkansas but that a felony is needed to add more stringent deterrents. Hesaid University of Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long supports it.
Sanders said rogue agents pose a “clear and present danger” to Arkansas. He cited recent problems at the University of North Carolina and the University of Southern California.
Gov. Mike Beebe and some legislators have talked about the need to reduce the prison population by offering punishment other than prison time to nonviolent offenders.
While the agent bill provides for prison time, McDaniel said, it would be unlikely that anyone convicted of such a crime would go to prison. He said probation would be probable and that the financial penalty would be significant.
Arkansas, Pages 21 on 01/09/2011