The AFL Players’ Association has issued the following statement, attributed to the Agent Accreditation Board (AAB), in relation to the conduct of TGI Sport and Mac’s Sports Promotions:
TGI Sport (TGI)
TGI has been found to have breached several Regulations, relating to conduct with prospective clients in the Talent Pathways. The approaching players process outlined in the Regulations not only provides players and their families with the ability to manage how they are communicated with by agents, but also aims to ensure a fair and equal process for all agents when contacting prospective clients.
The AAB found that, in August 2023, TGI (at that time operating as TLA Worldwide [Aust])had been in contact with the parents of a Talent Pathway player prior to date of approach eligibility. Clause 18.1.5 prevents an Accredited Agent from approaching a player or their parents/legal guardians prior to 1 October in the year that the player turns 16. Furthermore, clauses 18.1.2 and 18.1.3 outline the process that all Accredited Agents must adhere to when making an approach to a player once they are of an eligible age. Sanctions relating to this breach were suspended as part of a formal warning, through the process noted above.
Separately, the AAB found that in January 2024, the agency had provided prospective clients access to an organised training session. The session was attended by players within the Talent Pathways who were not yet of an eligible age to enter into a Standard Player Agent Agreement (SPAA). Players must be 17 years of age and eligible for the next AFL National Draft to be eligible to enter into a SPAA with an Agent Company. Therefore, the opportunity provided to these prospective clients breached the Regulations relating to inducements, specifically clause 20.2.4.
As a result of these breaches, TGI has been issued with total $10,000 financial sanction, $2,500 of which is suspended for a period of 24 months. In determining the appropriate penalty, the AAB noted TGI have recently been issued with separate sanctions and takes repeat breaches of the Regulations seriously.
The $7,500 payable portion of the sanction has been made to TGI’s chosen charity partner, Clontarf Foundation.
Mac’s Sports Promotions (MSP)
MSP has been found to have breached clauses 18.1.3 and 18.1.6 of the Regulations in February 2024. These clauses relate to the process and timings in which an Accredited Agent is permitted to contact a Talent Pathway Player, and restrictions on the use of social media communication to contact Talent Pathway Players.
The AAB found that MSP had contacted a Player in the Talent Pathways through social media, without first having completed the Approaching Players process as required under the Regulations. All Accredited Agents must submit a written letter of introduction via the AFLPA Agent Portal and wait the required timeframe before contacting that player or their parents/legal guardians.
As a result, MSP has been issued with a $2,500 financial sanction. In determining the appropriate penalty, the AAB noted that it takes Agent communication with Talent Pathway players and interaction with younger persons on social media seriously.
The AAB noted that MSP and the Agent involved had taken full responsibility for the breach, has committed to improved conduct in future and has cooperated with the AAB’s enquiries.
The $2,500 sanction has been made to MSP’s chosen charity, My Room Children’s Cancer Charity.
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