FTC Seeks Information From Universities On Agent Compliance With SPARTA

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued information requests to 20 universities—all with NCAA Division I sports programs—as part of an inquiry into whether sports agents are complying with the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (SPARTA). It is not public which specific universities received the information requests. "Agents that work with student athletes have responsibilities and legal requirements including notifying colleges and universities when their student athletes have signed agent contracts," said Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. "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." The FTC's initiative underscores continued attention to the college sports marketplace and reflects a willingness to investigate whether existing safeguards for student-athletes and institutions are being followed.