The AFCA Applauds The FTC’s Efforts To Enforce The Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (SPARTA)
February 5, 2026
The following is a letter AFCA Executive Director Craig Bohl sent to the Federal Trade Commission regarding the January 12th announcement that it is investigating whether sports agents who work with student-athletes have complied with the requirements of the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (SPARTA).
Dear Chairman Ferguson and Commissioner Meador:
I am writing on behalf of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) to thank the Federal Trade Commission for the January 12th announcement that it is investigating whether sports agents who work with student-athletes have complied with the requirements of the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (SPARTA).
The AFCA strongly supports increased scrutiny of “agents” to ensure compliance with SPARTA, which will help protect players and their families.
Over the last few years, since the long-overdue compensation of college athletes began, our coaches have seen a dramatic increase in unprepared, unethical “agents” exploiting young athletes in financial negotiations. We have seen many instances of “agents” manipulating student-athletes and their parents.
SPARTA was passed nearly 25 years ago, long before the NIL era, and federal rules need to be updated by Congress. Any additional enforcement actions the FTC can take to rein in the excesses of unqualified, unethical agents would be greatly appreciated.
While Congress considers next steps, we strongly support and applaud the Federal Trade Commission’s work to enforce SPARTA and protect student-athletes. Please feel free to reach out to me if I can assist in any way.
Thank you.
Craig Bohl
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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The following is a letter AFCA Executive Director Craig Bohl sent to the Federal Trade Commission regarding the January 12th announcement that it is investigating whether sports agents who work with student-athletes have complied with the requirements of the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (SPARTA).
Dear Chairman Ferguson and Commissioner Meador:
I am writing on behalf of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) to thank the Federal Trade Commission for the January 12th announcement that it is investigating whether sports agents who work with student-athletes have complied with the requirements of the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (SPARTA).
The AFCA strongly supports increased scrutiny of “agents” to ensure compliance with SPARTA, which will help protect players and their families.
Over the last few years, since the long-overdue compensation of college athletes began, our coaches have seen a dramatic increase in unprepared, unethical “agents” exploiting young athletes in financial negotiations. We have seen many instances of “agents” manipulating student-athletes and their parents.
SPARTA was passed nearly 25 years ago, long before the NIL era, and federal rules need to be updated by Congress. Any additional enforcement actions the FTC can take to rein in the excesses of unqualified, unethical agents would be greatly appreciated.
While Congress considers next steps, we strongly support and applaud the Federal Trade Commission’s work to enforce SPARTA and protect student-athletes. Please feel free to reach out to me if I can assist in any way.
Thank you.
Craig Bohl
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
