Boras Says Agents For HS Draftees A Wise Move

Scott Boras has long been critical of the NCAA rules preventing baseball players from having agents represent them when they are drafted.

So Boras was pleased when last week the Power Five conferences passed legislation that allows high school draftees to have representation during contract negotiations without affecting their collegiate eligibility.

“It’s certainly something I’ve been advocating for over 30 years,” Boras said. “I’m glad to see the realization that, frankly, with proper representation the athletes can receive a platform to make an informed decision.”

The rule, which easily passed through the process the Power Five conferences have to autonomously adopt legislation, will go into effect immediately for the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 12 Conference, Big Ten Conference, Pacific-12 Conference and Southeastern Conference. Other Division I conferences can adopt the legislation if they chose. High school draftees must pay the agent’s going rate and may not receive any additional benefits. If they do not sign with the team that drafted them, they must terminate their relationship with the agent before enrolling in school.

Boras played at Pacific, where his No. 7 is retired, and he remains an advocate for college baseball. He said he believes that college baseball is the right choice for the “vast, vast majority” of players, but believes all draftees should have access to the most information possible.

“I think every athlete needs expert legal counsel because the teams all have it,” he said. “When you’re looking at this, if the teams deem it wise to have legal representation in their organization for all their activities and conduct, why is it not wise for the athletes to deserve the same?”

NCAA rules still don’t allow for college players with eligibility remaining to have an agent during draft negotiations, and Boras has previously been involved in disputes about the issue. James Paxton was suspended in 2010 by Kentucky after Blue Jays president Paul Beeston told reporters the team had negotiated with Boras after they drafted the lefthander in 2009. Boras denies he broke NCAA rules, but the fallout cost Paxton his senior season.

Boras said he believes it is just a matter of time before the NCAA changes the rules to allow college players the same access to representation during contract negotiations following the draft.

“It’s hard to say we’re going to discriminate between athletes who are 18 and the student-athletes we care the most about, which are our students,” Boras said. “That in and of itself has a clear imbalance that has to be reviewed and adjusted.”