USA TODAY International Edition
Agent says loss might change landscape
Powerful agent Scott Boras lost a $ 1.3 million grievance claim against New York Yankees right fielder Carlos Beltran this month, establishing a legal precedent Boras thinks could have serious ramifications in the industry.
Boras was seeking damages against Beltran, who left his agency in October 2011 — four months before the expiration of his contract.
Beltran signed a two- year, $ 26 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals in December 2011 before receiving a threeyear, $ 45 million contract this winter from the Yankees.
Boras was seeking 5% of Beltran’s contract with St. Louis, citing a provision in their agreement that required payment if Beltran prematurely fired him.
While many agents, including Boras, have used the provision for years, it was ruled unenforceable by independent arbitrator Shyam Das, who sided with the players union. Former players association counsel Jeff Fannell represented Beltran.
“I felt like I had to win because he was basically suing me because I left him and he was trying to collect money without having done anything for me,” Beltran told USA TODAY Sports.
“It’s not the money. It’s the intention. Scott Boras had to do something that wasn’t right. If I haven’t done anything for you, haven’t negotiated your contract, how could I sue you and try to collect money because you left me and because you hired another agent? That didn’t make any sense to me.”
Boras thinks the ruling could enable players to leave their agents at a moment’s notice with no repercussions, intensifying an already- heated competition for clients among agents.
“It basically makes the agent an at- will employee. Is this what you want?” he said. “You should be responsible for the work you do. We need accountability on both sides.”
Boras, who has used the provision for nearly 15 years, fears the ruling could prompt agents to negotiate inferior contracts, simply to get their fees to protect themselves from players terminating agreements.
Boras also has an outstanding grievance against Chicago Cubs starter Edwin Jackson, who signed a four- year, $ 52 million contract after being represented by Boras.
“I never worried about it,” Jackson said. “Come on, you can’t have it both ways. You can’t take away guys from another agency, but when your guys leave sue them.”
Boras threatened recourse against Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano, who left Boras for Jay Z and Roc Nation eight months before signing his 10- year, $ 240 million contract, but no grievance has been filed with the union.
“People ( agents) are going to try one way or another to keep the players with them,” Beltran said, “but when you get to a point where you’re not happy with your representation, you need to look at this like a business. After all, he’s generating money from your money.”