GM vs Agent
GM vs Agent | As a sports agent, what is the best deal I can get for my client and exactly what does “best deal” mean?
As a GM negotiating with the agent, what is the best deal I can get for my club and just what does THAT mean?
Rarely do you get to hear those in the position of agent and GM talk openly about what goes on between them. Rarer still is to hear it from two who actually sat across the table from one another and went at it to get deals done.
Prepare yourself-here are those two in a candid and often humorous conversation.
The General Manager

Ned Colletti worked up through the baseball ranks, from the PR front office of the Chicago Cubs, to Assistant GM with the Giants to become the GM of the LA Dodgers from 2006-20014. No GM in the NL had a better win percentage in those years.
The Agent
Barry Axelrod is a UCLA law grad who has been a sports agent for 45 years. He has represented top clients such as Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Matt Morris, Mark Harmon and so many more. His practice has made him one of the most respected and acknowledged leaders in the field.
GM vs Agent | The Conversation
Today they will give you a peek inside the business of a GM vs Agent rivalry.
You will hear of the pressures that seem to come from all sides when talks are ongoing. The GM has owners and higher up executives intently watching the progress or lack thereof in multimillion dollar negotiations with some of the biggest names in sports.
The agent has one player looking at what others have signed for and wanting the same or more.
Both parties know what is agreed to today will become starting points for tomorrow and ripple through the industry.
What a treat to hear Barry and Ned discuss specific deals, tense exchanges, the coffee spilled (literally) at the apex of a negotiation. How about when Ned presents exhibit A during a negotiation and Barry sees his own quote being used against him?
Hear Ned say to Barry, “I don’t think I ever told you this,” and we get to listen in.
These are two good people who are experts at their jobs involving the highest level of sport contract negotiations.
Ready. Set. Negotiate.
GM vs Agent.
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