Littlepage One of 77 Supporters of Stronger Sports Agent Laws

An Associated Press story late last week reported that the athletic officials of 65 schools across 32 states, together with five agents and a handful of other individuals close to the sports agency industry, signed their names in support of a nine-page memo proposing changes to agent laws.

Among these is Virginia Athletics Director Craig Littlepage.

The memo, co-authored by Tony Agnone, an NFLPA certified agent and ex-president of Sports Lawyers Association, and Paul Pogge, North Carolina's Associate Athletics Director, advocates broadening the law to cover "agents, runners, financial advisers, marketers or anyone else who tries to sign athletes or provide gifts that jeopardize their eligibility," the AP reported.

According to the AP, the schools are also requesting harsher penalties ($100,000 or more), stronger registration requirements for agents or representatives, and notification requirements when agents or representatives contact have an existing relationship with an athlete.

Coming in the wake of the UNC football scandal involving agent Terry Watson and a former UNC tutor, the memo was sent last Thursday to the committee that will meet to consider updates to the Uniform Athlete Agents Act. The committee is scheduled to meet on October 25 and 26 to consider revisions.

Including UNC and UVA, ten ACC schools in total signed in support of the memo, including Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, NC State, Notre Dame, Syracuse, and Wake Forest. Not listed as supporters are Boston College, Maryland, Miami, Virginia Tech, and future conference member Louisville.