Breaking Down the Average Sports Agent Salary by League

Sports agents help professional athletes succeed both professionally and financially. Agents negotiate contracts and secure endorsements. Many agents also help players manage their public relations and provide career financial advice. Sports agents may act as advocates for their clients by helping them deal with sponsorships, media appearances, and personal branding.

The salary of a sports agent depends, in large part, on factors like the league they operate in, the players they represent, and their negotiating acumen since sports agents are typically paid a cut of their player's compensation.¹ An agent representing a player from a more lucrative professional sports league, like the National Basketball Association (NBA), will typically out-earn an agent who represents an athlete from a league that has lower average salaries, like the National Hockey League (NHL).

How much does a sports agent make? Read on to learn where sports agents make the most money, how sports agents get paid, and what a sports agent salary range might look like.

The earning potential for sports agents differs significantly by league due to the differences in player salaries, commission caps, and endorsement opportunities. The following are the most common sports agent salary ranges:

• National Football League (NFL) agents: $800,000 to $54,993,000
• National Basketball Association (NBA) agents: $4,718,300 to $48,070,014
• Major League Baseball (MLB) agents: $570,500 to $43,333,333
• National Hockey League (NHL) agents: $750,000 to $12,500,000²

Sports agents earn most of their income through a commission-based structure, in which they take a set percent of their clients' contracts and endorsement deals. The commission rate differs by league. For example, the NFL caps agent fees at 3%,³ the NBA caps the fees at 4%,⁴ and the NHL has a 5% cap.⁵ The MLB has no cap on commissions, allowing for much higher rates, but most MLB agents take home between 4% and 5% of their clients' compensation.⁶

Sports agents also get paid by negotiating endorsements, sponsorships, and appearance fees for their clients. Agents can often charge higher commissions for these deals, with many agents walking away with anywhere between 3% and 20%.⁷

The average sports agent salary differs by league. Here, we'll discuss the average sports agent salaries in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL.

In the NFL, agents aren't allowed to charge a commission of more than 3% on player contracts.³ Given that player salaries averaged $3.2 million in 2024,⁸ agents typically earn between $21,000 and $1.6 million per contract each year.² Rookie contracts tend to have significantly lower values than veteran contracts, which may include signing bonuses and other incentives. Top-performing agents can make up to millions of dollars per year if they represent multiple high-level players.

The NBA caps sports agents at 4% on player contracts, although less-lucrative rookie contracts can go up to 10%. That can still yield hundreds of thousands of dollars per contract, given the league's high average salaries.⁴ Plus, agents can boost their incomes with lucrative endorsement deals.

At the top end, MLB agents can often out-earn their peers in other leagues because the MLB doesn't have a salary or commission cap.⁹ Plus, guaranteed contracts¹⁰ and arbitration processes, where players get the chance to negotiate salaries after three years of playing,¹¹ can lead to higher earning potential.

Minor league players typically yield lower commissions due to smaller salaries. But the opportunity to transition a minor league player to the MLB can be quite lucrative.

NHL agents typically earn 4% on player contracts. The NHL had a hard salary cap for players of $88 million for the 2024 to 2025 season, with minimum salaries at $750,000 and top contracts valued at $10 million per year. That means sports agents can expect commissions between $30,000 and $500,000 per player.²

Agents in the NHL may also benefit from endorsement deals, although they're less common in this league than in other major professional sporting organizations. Plus, NHL agents often have the opportunity to negotiate deals for international players, which offers both novel challenges and rewards.

The income of a sports agent varies widely. Several key factors shape an agent’s earning potential, and understanding them is essential for anyone considering a career in this field.

While formal education isn’t always required, it can significantly influence starting salary and career trajectory. Degrees in sports management, law, finance, or business provide the technical knowledge and strategic skills necessary to navigate complex contracts, compliance regulations, and financial planning.¹² An advanced degree, like a bachelor’s or master’s in sports management, can also provide valuable networking opportunities and credibility when entering the field.

The league or sport an agent works within can drastically impact earnings. Agents representing athletes in leagues with higher revenues, such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, or international soccer, typically earn more than those in smaller or less commercialized sports. For example, MLB agents may focus on contract negotiations due to guaranteed salaries, while NFL agents might prioritize endorsements.¹³ The importance of certain skills or credentials may shift depending on the league’s structure and policies.

An agent’s income often correlates with the number and status of their clients. Representing a few elite athletes can be more lucrative than managing a larger number of lower-profile clients. Agents can earn a percentage of contracts and endorsement deals, so working with high-performing or marketable athletes can significantly boost income.¹⁴

For many, representing a professional athlete is as close to a dream career as you can possibly get. Not only do you have the opportunity to brush shoulders with your on-the-court heroes, but successful agents can often command high salaries, with those at the top end earning millions of dollars per year.

Getting your foot in the door as a junior agent isn't easy. Fortunately, a comprehensive online Sports Management degree from the University of Kansas can help you break into this competitive industry. This graduate degree will expose you to everything you need to know to become a successful sports agent. From the finer legal aspects of contract negotiation to marketing and business fundamentals, our curriculum will prepare you for success in the complex world of sports.

Explore our program, and take the first steps toward a rewarding career by applying today.

Got a question? Schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor.