Chapter 4771 | Athlete Agents

Section 4771.01 | Athlete agent definitions.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Agent contract" means any contract or agreement pursuant to which an athlete authorizes or empowers or agrees to authorize or empower at some later date an athlete agent to do any of the following:

(1) Negotiate or solicit an agreement on behalf of the athlete with one or more professional sports teams for the employment of the athlete by a professional sports team;

(2) Negotiate or solicit an agreement on behalf of the athlete for the employment of the athlete as a professional athlete;

(3) Market, or enter an agreement to market, an athlete or an athlete's reputation.

(B) "Athlete agent" means any person who directly or indirectly recruits or solicits any athlete to enter into an agent contract or professional sports services contract, or who for a fee procures, offers, promises, or attempts to obtain employment for an athlete with a professional sports team, or as a professional athlete, or otherwise attempts to market an athlete or an athlete's reputation. Athlete agent does not include either of the following:

(1) A member of a student athlete's immediate family;

(2) An attorney from whom an athlete seeks legal advice concerning a proposed professional sports services contract if the attorney does not represent the athlete in negotiating or soliciting the contract.

(C) "Immediate family" means an individual's spouse, child, parent, stepparent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, parent-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, niece, aunt, uncle, first cousin, or the spouse or guardian of any of the individuals described in this division.

(D) "Athlete" means either of the following:

(1) A student enrolled in any educational institution or institution of higher education in this state, who participates, or is or may become eligible to participate, in any athletic sporting event, contest, exhibition, or program at the educational institution or institution of higher education;

(2) A student who meets one of the following criteria:

(a) Resides in this state, is eligible to participate in an amateur athletic program, and has informed an educational institution or institution of higher education, in writing, of the student's intent to participate in that institution's amateur athletic program;

(b) Does not reside in this state but is eligible to participate in an amateur athletic program and has informed, in writing, an educational institution or institution of higher education in this state of the student's intent to participate in that institution's amateur athletic program.

(E) "Institution of higher education" means a state university or college or a private nonprofit college or university located in this state that possesses a certificate of authorization issued by the Ohio board of regents pursuant to Chapter 1713. of the Revised Code.

(F) "Professional sports services contract" means either of the following:

(1) Any contract or agreement pursuant to which an athlete is employed or agrees to render services as a player on a professional sports team or as a professional athlete;

(2) Any contract or agreement that provides for the present or future marketing of an athlete or athlete's reputation.

(G) "State university or college" includes the state universities listed in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code, community colleges created pursuant to Chapter 3354. of the Revised Code, university branches created pursuant to Chapter 3355. of the Revised Code, technical colleges created pursuant to Chapter 3357. of the Revised Code, and state community colleges created pursuant to Chapter 3358. of the Revised Code.

(H) "Educational institution" means any institution located in this state, public or private, that provides elementary or secondary education to students as its primary function.

Section 4771.02 | Athlete agent contract with athlete - requirements.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) No athlete agent shall enter into an agent contract with an athlete unless the agent complies with all of the following agent contract requirements:

(1) The agent contract is in writing on a form approved by the Ohio athletic commission and includes all agreements between the parties.

(2) The agent contract includes in boldface, twelve-point type, on the initial page of the agent contract, the following language:

"The athlete agent entering this agreement is registered to serve as an athlete agent with the Ohio athletic commission. Registration of an athlete agent under Chapter 4771. of the Revised Code does not imply approval by the commission of the terms and conditions of this contract or the competence of the athlete agent."

(3) The agent contract includes the following language in boldface, twelve-point type, near the space provided for an athlete to sign or otherwise acknowledge agreement to the terms of the contract:

"Warning to the student athlete: when you sign this contract, you may immediately lose your eligibility to compete in any amateur or intercollegiate athletics. Accordingly, you must give written notice that you have entered into this contract to the athletic director or person of similar position at the educational institution or institution of higher education in which you are enrolled, or to which you have formally acknowledged your plans to attend, prior to the earlier of participating in or practicing for an officially sanctioned athletic competition or intercollegiate athletic event, or seventy-two hours after entering into this contract.

Do not sign this contract until you have read it and filled in any blank spaces. Under Ohio law, as a student athlete signing this contract, you have the right to rescind this contract for a period of up to ten days after the latest of the following occurrences:

(a) The date the contract is signed;

(b) The date the athletic director or person of similar position at the educational institution or institution of higher education in which you are enrolled, or have acknowledged plans to attend, receives notice of this contract; or

(c) The last date you participate in an officially sanctioned athletic competition or intercollegiate athletic event if no notice of this contract is provided to the athletic director or person of similar position.

Despite cancellation of this contract, the educational institution, institution of higher education, or intercollegiate athletic association or conference to which your institution of higher education belongs may not restore your eligibility to participate in amateur or intercollegiate athletics. If you sign this contract prior to the last officially sanctioned athletic competition or intercollegiate athletic event you participate in and fail to notify your institution of this contract, your athletic team may be required to forfeit all games in which you participated after signing. Such action also may cause your athletic team to be declared ineligible for post-season play."

(4) The athlete agent agrees in the agent contract to provide written notice of the agent contract to the athletic director or person of similar position at the educational institution or institution of higher education in which the athlete is enrolled prior to the earlier of the time the athlete next participates in or practices for an officially sanctioned athletic competition or intercollegiate athletic event after entering that agent contract, or seventy-two hours after entering that agent contract.

(5) All terms and conditions contained in the agent contract comply with state and federal law.

(B) A provision in an agent contract that provides for the resolution of any controversy in connection with the contract by arbitration is void and unenforceable unless both of the following apply:

(1) The provision is contained in an agent contract between an athlete agent and an athlete for whom the athlete agent undertakes to secure employment.

(2) The provision is included in the agent contract pursuant to a rule, regulation, or contract of a bona fide labor union or organization that regulates the relations of its members with athlete agents.

(C) An athlete and athlete agent who enter an agent contract each shall provide written notice of that agent contract to the athletic director or person of similar position at the educational institution or institution of higher education in which the athlete is enrolled prior to the earlier of the time the athlete next participates in or practices for an officially sanctioned athletic competition or intercollegiate athletic event after entering that agent contract, or seventy-two hours after entering that agent contract.

Section 4771.03 | Action on agent contract.

• Effective: June 14, 1988
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 263 - 117th General Assembly

No athlete agent shall commence or maintain an action in any court in this state on the basis of any agent contract entered into in this state unless the contract complies with section 4771.02 of the Revised Code.

Section 4771.04 | Status of agent contracts.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly

Any agent contract entered into in violation of this chapter shall be void and unenforceable.

An agent contract entered into in this state or an agent contract entered into with an athlete who is enrolled in an educational institution or institution of higher education located in this state shall be governed by Ohio law.

Section 4771.05 | Athletic commission duties.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly

The Ohio athletic commission, established under section 3773.33 of the Revised Code, shall do all of the following:

(A) Review the application form of an applicant for registration as an athlete agent;

(B) Issue and renew biennial certificates of registration for an athlete agent pursuant to this chapter;

(C) Maintain records of every athlete agent registered in this state, including the agent's business and residential address, and the date and number of the agent's registration;

(D) Establish an application form to be completed by an individual seeking registration as an athlete agent;

(E) Establish a fee for the registration, and renewal of the registration, of an individual as an athlete agent in an amount necessary to generate sufficient funds to cover the cost of administering and enforcing this chapter;

(F) Adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

Section 4771.06 | Certificate of registration required.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly

No person shall serve as an athlete agent in this state unless the person holds a current and valid certificate of registration as an athlete agent issued under section 4771.08 of the Revised Code, a temporary certificate issued under section 4771.08 of the Revised Code, or a temporary certificate of convenience issued under section 4771.09 of the Revised Code.

Section 4771.07 | Applying for registration.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) Each individual who desires to serve as an athlete agent within this state shall first file an application for registration with the Ohio athletic commission. The applicant shall apply using a form prescribed by the commission and shall provide all the following information:

(1) The name and residential address of the applicant;

(2) The address of the primary location in which the applicant wishes to conduct business as an athlete agent;

(3) The type of business conducted or the occupation held by the applicant during the five years immediately preceding application;

(4) The location and evidence of a trust fund established in accordance with division (B) of section 4771.12 of the Revised Code and rules adopted by the commission;

(5) The name and address of all persons who have a financial interest in the business operation of the applicant, or who are compensated for the solicitation or recruitment of athletes on behalf of the applicant, except for salaried employees who receive no commission or bonus pursuant to any agent or professional sports services contract;

(6) Any other information deemed necessary by the commission.

(B) The applicant shall submit with the application for registration an affidavit or certificate of completion describing all formal training or practical experience completed by the applicant in any of the following areas:

(1) Contracts;

(2) Contract negotiations;

(3) Complaint resolution;

(4) Arbitration;

(5) Dispute resolution.

An attorney admitted to practice law in this state shall submit with the application a certificate of good standing issued by the supreme court of Ohio in lieu of an affidavit or certificate otherwise required under this division.

(C) An applicant shall submit with the application for registration an application fee in an amount determined by the commission pursuant to division (F) of section 4771.05 of the Revised Code and proof of one of the securities required under section 477.11 4771.11 of the Revised Code.

(D) An athlete agent shall notify the commission of any change in business location or address during the period of application for registration or during the period of time the registration of the athlete agent is valid.

Last updated February 27, 2023 at 5:19 PM

Section 4771.08 | Issuing certificate of registration or temporary certificate.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 131 - 134th General Assembly

(A) Upon receipt of all the materials required for application for registration under section 4771.07 of the Revised Code, the Ohio athletic commission shall evaluate the information provided and issue a certificate of registration to the applicant, unless the commission finds that the applicant or an employee or representative of the applicant has committed any of the acts described in division (A) of section 4771.18 of the Revised Code.

Notwithstanding the requirements for a certificate of registration under this chapter, the commission shall issue a certificate of registration in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to an applicant if either of the following applies:

(1) The applicant is registered in another state.

(2) The applicant has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as an athlete agent in a state that does not issue that certificate of registration.

(B) The commission may issue a temporary certificate of registration, effective for a period of up to ninety days after the issuance of the temporary registration, to a nonresident athlete agent who is registered as an athlete agent in another state, or to a person who has not submitted all the material required under section 4771.07 of the Revised Code, but who the commission determines to have submitted sufficient material to warrant the issuance of a temporary certificate. Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code does not apply to a temporary certificate of registration issued under this division.

(C) The registration of an athlete agent with the commission is valid for a period of two years after the date the certificate of registration is issued. An athlete agent shall file an application for the renewal of a registration with the commission at least thirty days prior to the expiration of the registration of the athlete agent. An application for renewal shall be accompanied by a renewal fee in an amount determined by the commission pursuant to division (F) of section 4771.05 of the Revised Code.

(D) Each certificate of registration issued by the commission to an athlete agent shall contain all the following information:

(1) The name of the athlete agent;

(2) The address of the primary location in which the athlete agent is authorized to conduct business as an athlete agent;

(3) A registration number for the athlete agent and the date of issuance of the registration.

(E) No registration or certificate of registration is valid for any individual other than the athlete agent to whom it is issued.

(F) The commission is not liable for the acts of an athlete agent who is registered with the commission.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 5:46 AM

Section 4771.09 | Issuing certificate of convenience.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) The Ohio athletic commission may issue an eligible person a certificate of convenience to conduct business as an athlete agent when a registered athlete agent is deceased, or declared incompetent or physically infirm by the judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. The commission may issue a certificate of convenience upon either receiving approval to do so from a probate court or finding that the last will and testament of the athlete agent specifically authorizes the executor or administrator of estate to conduct the business of the athlete agent.

(B) The following persons are eligible to obtain a certificate of convenience to conduct business on behalf of an athlete agent:

(1) The executor or administrator of the estate of the deceased athlete agent;

(2) The guardian of the estate of an athlete agent who has been declared incompetent or the conservator appointed to manage the estate of an athlete agent who has been declared physically infirm.

(C) A certificate of convenience is valid for ninety days after the date it is issued. If the holder of a certificate of convenience applies for registration as an athlete agent, the commission may renew the certificate of convenience for a period of time the commission finds appropriate pending the commission's determination whether to issue a certificate of registration as an athlete agent to the holder of the certificate of convenience.

Section 4771.10 | Continuing education.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly

The commission may require each registered athlete agent to complete not more than six hours of continuing education during a biennial registration in programs to be determined or approved by the commission. If the commission imposes continuing education requirements on athlete agents, not less than two of the six hours of continuing education shall be devoted to ethics.

A continuing education program shall promote the ability of an athlete agent to serve as an athlete agent in an ethical and legal manner. A continuing education program may address laws and rules governing athlete agents and rules and policies established by an athletic conference or a collegiate athletic organization. An athlete agent also may obtain credit for continuing education by participating in or attending lectures, courses at institutions of higher education, seminars, or rule-making or disciplinary proceedings approved by the commission, or by teaching a subject that pertains to the profession of an athlete agent.

If the commission requires athlete agents to fulfill continuing education requirements under this section, the commission shall adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this section. The rules shall contain procedures by which the commission shall monitor an athlete agent's compliance with the continuing education requirements prior to renewal of an athlete agent's certificate of registration.

Section 4771.11 | Proof of security.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) Prior to issuing a certificate of registration, the Ohio athletic commission shall require an athlete agent to submit proof of one of the following securities:

(1) A surety bond in the amount of fifteen thousand dollars in favor of the state of Ohio for the benefit of any person who is injured by a violation of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter;

(2) A certificate of deposit in favor of, or a savings account assigned to, the state of Ohio for the benefit of any person that is injured by a violation of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter, in the amount of fifteen thousand dollars;

(3) Certification from an insurance carrier indicating that the athlete agent has obtained professional malpractice insurance in an amount equal to, or greater than, fifty thousand dollars, or a lesser amount, as permitted by the commission.

An athlete agent shall present evidence of a bond, a certificate of deposit, an assigned savings account, or professional malpractice insurance in the manner prescribed by the commission.

(B) The commission shall hold on deposit, as an agent of the state, any surety bond or other form of security deposited with the commission by an athlete agent. The commission shall hold the security in trust contingent on an athlete agent's compliance with all provisions of this chapter including the payment of all moneys owed to an athlete, group of athletes, educational institution, or institution of higher education, and the payment of all damages other than punitive damages due as the result of a misstatement, misrepresentation, fraudulent act, deceit, or unlawful or negligent act or omission by an athlete agent in the course of serving as an athlete agent, or by a representative or employee of an athlete agent when the representative or employee acted within the scope of the representative's or employee's authority. The commission may use funds held on deposit for an athlete agent to pay debts owed by an athlete agent as described in this division pursuant to a court or administrative order specifying the obligation of the athlete agent.

(C) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the liability of an athlete agent to the amount of the surety bond, malpractice coverage, or other security held on deposit by the commission.

(D) An athlete agent shall maintain the security required under this section. If an athlete agent fails to maintain the security as required under this section, the commission shall suspend the registration of the athlete agent until the athlete agent provides evidence of the bond, certificate of deposit, assigned savings account, or professional malpractice insurance, as required under this section.

(E) The liability of the surety on a bond described in division (A) of this section shall not exceed the sum of fifteen thousand dollars in the aggregate for all persons who are injured by any and all violations of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter.

(F) A surety may cancel a bond described in division (A) of this section after mailing a written notice to the athlete agent and the commission stating that the bond cancels sixty days after that notice is mailed. The liability of the surety for acts of the athlete agent continues during that sixty-day period. The cancellation notice does not absolve the surety from liability that accrues before the cancellation date but that is discovered after that date.

(G) The commission shall return the surety bond or other form of security held by the commission under this section to the athlete agent submitting the bond or security, two years after the person ceases to serve as an athlete agent in this state.

Section 4771.12 | Fees of agent.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) Fees charged by an athlete agent for services provided to an athlete may be negotiated between the parties.

(B)(1) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section, an athlete agent shall establish an interest-bearing trust fund or similar account in a depository approved by the Ohio athletic commission to be used for the deposit of all revenues received on behalf of an athlete. An athlete agent shall deposit any revenue received on behalf of an athlete in the interest-bearing trust fund or account. The athlete agent shall notify the commission of the address and location of the trust fund or account and the depository in which it is located.

(2) An athlete agent who is an attorney licensed to practice law in this state may deposit any revenue received on behalf of an athlete in a trust account already maintained by the agent attorney in a financial institution in this state for the deposit of revenue received on behalf of clients.

(C) No athlete agent shall share fees with any person other than an employee of the athlete agent. If an athlete agent shares a fee with an employee, the athlete agent shall obtain written consent from the athlete prior to entering a fee agreement with the athlete. No athlete agent shall enter fee agreements that are prohibited under this chapter.

(D) If an athlete agent collects a fee or expense from an athlete as consideration for obtaining employment for the athlete, and the athlete agent fails to procure such employment, the agent shall retain only the following portion of the fee or expense:

(1) The cost of reasonable expenses incurred by the athlete agent during the course of representing the athlete in efforts to obtain employment for the athlete;

(2) A negotiated fee in connection with instances where the athlete receives a bonus or some compensation for signing a professional sports services contract.

(E) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the Ohio supreme court to establish or regulate fees for activities considered to be the practice of law.

Section 4771.13 | Investments of athletes.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly

No athlete agent shall act on behalf of an athlete as a "dealer" or "investment advisor," as defined in section 1707.01 of the Revised Code, unless the athlete agent complies with Chapter 1707. of the Revised Code.

An athlete agent shall disclose to an athlete and the Ohio athletic commission any ownership interest the athlete agent has in an entity referred to by the athlete agent in advising the athlete concerning investments. An athlete agent shall disclose any commissions or fees the athlete agent may receive as a result of an investment decision made by an athlete in response to investment advice from the athlete agent.

Section 4771.14 | Maintaining records.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) An athlete agent shall maintain all of the following records:

(1) The name and address of each athlete for whom the athlete agent performs services as an athlete agent in exchange for compensation;

(2) The amount of fees or compensation received for the performance of services for each athlete;

(3) A copy of the contract entered into between the athlete agent and each athlete;

(4) Any other information the Ohio athletic commission finds appropriate in connection with the provision of services by an athlete agent.

(B) An athlete agent shall maintain all records required to be maintained pursuant to this section, in a manner that the commission shall prescribe, for a period of five years.

(C) No athlete agent or employee or representative of an athlete agent shall make, or cause to be made, any false records or records containing false information.

(D) All financial records, financial books, and other records not subject to the attorney-client privilege that are required to be maintained pursuant to this chapter shall be open to inspection by the commission and its representatives, upon reasonable notice, at the pleasure of the commission.

Section 4771.15 | Authorized conduct.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly

An athlete agent may engage in the following conduct:

(A) Provide or send written materials to an athlete if the athlete agent simultaneously submits an identical copy of the materials to the athletic director or the director's designee, or person of similar position, at the educational institution or institution of higher education in which the athlete is enrolled, or to the institution of higher education to which the athlete provided a written notice of intent to participate in intercollegiate athletics;

(B) Contact an athlete after an athlete initiates contact with an athlete agent, provided that the athlete agent provides notice, in accordance with this chapter, to the educational institution or the institution of higher education in which the athlete is enrolled, or the institution of higher education to which the athlete has provided a written notice of intent to participate in intercollegiate athletics;

(C) Participate in educational programs sponsored by an institution of higher education or a professional sports counseling panel at an institution of higher education.

Section 4771.16 | Advertisements.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly

No athlete agent shall publish or cause to be published any false, fraudulent, or misleading notice, advertisement, or information with knowledge that it is false, fraudulent, or misleading. All advertisements of an athlete agent shall contain the name and registered business address of the athlete agent and some indication that the athlete agent is registered with the Ohio athletic commission.

As used in this section, "advertisement" includes circulars, signs, newspaper or magazine publications, or other oral or written communication that names the athlete agent in connection with the provision of services as an athlete agent.

Section 4771.17 | Prohibited acts.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly

No athlete agent shall do any of the following:

(A) Provide false information or make false promises or representations concerning the employment of an athlete;

(B) Engage in any conduct that demonstrates bad faith or dishonesty in connection with the performance of services as an athlete agent;

(C) Commingle money or property of an athlete with the agent's own money or property;

(D) Offer anything of value to a person in order to induce an athlete to enter into an agreement pursuant to which the athlete agent represents the interests of the athlete;

(E) Engage in reckless or intentional mismanagement or misconduct as an athlete agent where such conduct results in financial harm to an athlete or an educational institution or institution of higher education;

(F) Violate the rules of the athletic conference or collegiate athletic association governing an athlete or the educational institution or institution of higher education in which an athlete is enrolled when the violation may affect the eligibility of the athlete to participate in athletic competition or otherwise penalize the educational institution or institution of higher education;

(G) Aid or abet another in conduct that violates the rules of the athletic conference or collegiate athletic association governing an athlete or the educational institution or institution of higher education in which the athlete is enrolled, when the violation results in the ineligibility of the athlete to participate in athletic competition or otherwise penalizes the educational institution or institution of higher education;

(H) Make any contact with an athlete that is prohibited under this chapter, other state or federal law, or the rules of any athletic conference or collegiate athletic association;

(I) Post-date an agent or professional sports services contract;

(J) Loan or advance money to an athlete or the family or friends of an athlete in connection with the recruitment or solicitation of the athlete;

(K) Provide transportation, material goods, or any other services to an athlete, or family or friends of an athlete, in connection with the recruitment or solicitation of an athlete;

(L) Publish or cause to be published any false or misleading information or advertisements concerning the athlete agent, an athlete, or the provision of services by an athlete agent.

Section 4771.18 | Disciplinary actions.

• Effective: October 9, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 263 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) The Ohio athletic commission may, except as provided in division (B) of this section, refuse to grant or renew a registration, or may suspend or revoke a registration of an athlete agent upon proof satisfactory to the commission that the athlete agent or an employee or representative of the athlete agent has done any of the following:

(1) Made false or misleading statements of a material nature in an application for registration as an athlete agent;

(2) Been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense in connection with the person's service as an athlete agent in this or another state;

(3) Been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense involving illegal gambling;

(4) Engaged in conduct that has a significant adverse impact on the applicant's credibility, integrity, or competence to serve in a fiduciary capacity;

(5) Misappropriated funds or engaged in other specific conduct that would render the applicant unfit to serve in a fiduciary capacity, including being convicted of or pleading guilty to offenses involving embezzlement, theft, or fraud;

(6) Violated a provision of this chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter.

(B) The commission shall not refuse to issue a registration to an applicant because of a conviction of or plea of guilty to an offense unless the refusal is in accordance with section 9.79 of the Revised Code.

(C) Upon receiving a complaint of a violation of this chapter or a rule adopted under it, the commission shall conduct an investigation of the complaint. If the commission finds reasonable cause to believe a violation occurred, the commission shall conduct a hearing in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to determine if a violation occurred. If the commission finds a violation occurred, the commission may suspend or revoke, or refuse to issue or renew, the registration of an athlete agent for such period of time as the commission finds appropriate.

Upon completion of an investigation, if the commission finds no reasonable grounds to believe a violation occurred, the commission shall certify without a hearing that no violation occurred. The commission shall serve the certification on all parties addressed in the complaint by certified mail, return receipt requested. The certification shall be considered a final resolution of the matter if no objection to the certification is filed. A party involved in the complaint may file an objection to the certification with the commission within ten days after the date the certification is mailed. If a party files an objection to the certification within the prescribed period, the commission, within its discretion, may conduct a hearing in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to determine if a violation occurred.

Last updated October 9, 2021 at 5:12 AM

Section 4771.19 | Civil actions.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly

A person who is injured by a violation of this chapter may initiate a civil action for legal and equitable relief against an athlete agent in a court having jurisdiction over the matter. The plaintiff also may name the surety, the named holder of any security required of an athlete agent under this chapter, or the carrier of malpractice insurance for an athlete agent as additional parties to the action. This cause of action may be transferred or assigned in the same manner as prescribed for civil actions under Ohio law. The amount of damages claimed by the plaintiff, and not the amount of bond, security, or insurance held in the name of an athlete agent, determines the jurisdiction of the court in which the action is brought. In a civil action brought under this section, a court shall not award punitive or exemplary damages against a surety.

Section 4771.20 | Civil actions - institution of higher education.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) An institution of higher education may bring a civil action against an athlete agent who violates this chapter for compensatory damages, punitive or exemplary damages, and equitable relief as the court finds appropriate. A court may grant equitable relief to a plaintiff under this section to prevent harm that could result from the acts or omissions of an athlete or athlete agent if the court finds a reasonable likelihood that a violation occurred.

(B) For purposes of this section, an institution of higher education suffers harm when, as the result of the acts of an athlete agent or an athlete, both of the following occur:

(1) The institution or an athlete enrolled at the institution is penalized or is declared ineligible to compete in intercollegiate athletics by a national association that promotes or regulates intercollegiate athletics or by an intercollegiate athletic conference.

(2) As a result of the penalty or declaration of ineligibility, the institution of higher education experiences any of the following:

(a) A loss of the ability to grant an athletic scholarship;

(b) A loss of the ability to recruit an athlete;

(c) A loss of eligibility to participate in intercollegiate competition;

(d) A loss of eligibility to participate in post-season athletic competition;

(e) A forfeiture of any athletic contest;

(f) An adverse financial impact including, but not limited to, lost revenue from media coverage of athletic competition or lost ticket sales.

(C) An institution of higher education that prevails in an action brought under this section may recover compensatory and punitive or exemplary damages. A court also may award court costs and reasonable attorney's fees to a prevailing plaintiff.

(D) In a civil action brought under this section, a court shall not award punitive or exemplary damages against a surety.

Section 4771.21 | Jurisdiction - service of process.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly

Any person who conducts business in this state as an athlete agent consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state, whether or not the person is registered as an athlete agent with the Ohio athletic commission.

If an athlete agent conducts business in this state and thereafter leaves this state with intent to defraud creditors or to avoid service of process in an action brought under this chapter, the athlete agent thereby makes the secretary of state of the state of Ohio the agent of the athlete agent for purposes of service of process in any civil action or proceeding instituted in the courts of this state against the athlete agent arising out of, or by reason of, the athlete agent's conduct within this state. This appointment is irrevocable.

The process shall be served by the officer to whom the process is directed or by the sheriff of Franklin county. The process shall be served as follows:

(A) Upon the secretary of state by leaving the process and a true and attested copy of the process at the office of the secretary of state, at least fifteen days before the return day of the process; and

(B) By sending to the defendant, at the defendant's last known address, by registered mail, postage prepaid, a like true and attested copy of the process, with an indorsement on the process of the service upon the secretary of state. The registered mail return receipt of the defendant shall be attached to and made a part of the return of service of the process.

Section 4771.22 | Athlete agents registration fund.

• Effective: June 26, 2003
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 95 - 125th General Assembly

The Ohio athletic commission shall deposit all money it receives under this chapter to the credit of the occupational licensing and regulatory fund, created under section 4743.05 of the Revised Code.

Section 4771.23 | Compliance with law regarding sanctions for human trafficking.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 247 - 129th General Assembly

The Ohio athletic commission shall comply with section 4776.20 of the Revised Code.

Section 4771.99 | Penalty.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 107 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) Whoever violates section 4771.06 or division (J) or (K) of section 4771.17 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(B) An athlete agent who violates division (C) of section 4771.02 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.