Agent Spotlight: He Knows the Game
Written by Daniel Turner, Tuesday April 14 2009
When Tom Condon represents a football player he brings a practical knowledge to the table. Prior to representing players Condon spent years knocking them on their butts.
As a guard for the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots Condon learned the ins and outs of the game both from the gridiron perspective and as a player trying to get what he felt was his market value. If not the best, then experience is certainly one of the better teaching tools, so Condon was well on his way to his life after pads by entering the market as a player representative. In fact, before shedding his uniform he was already building a stable of clients.
While practical knowledge is important, a basis in education must be established. Condon fulfilled that requirement by earning a Juris Doctorate from the University Of Baltimore Law School. His J.D. is in addition to his B.A. from Boston College. If quarterbacks felt safe with Condon on the line imagine how secure his clients feel with that educational background at their call.
Condon has some of the better known names and numbers in football on his cell phone. Both Manning brothers turn to him for contractual advice as does LaDainian Tomlinson, Simeon Rice, Chad Pennington and Marvin Harrison. The high profile Manning boys have profited greatly being on Condon’s client list. Along with a variety of endorsements Condon secured Peyton one of the most lucrative contracts in the NFL.
Condon is part of IMG World a multi faceted company that represents sports stars, entertainers and media enterprises. In short they are a full service corporation that can see an athlete through his playing days and beyond by representing him on the field and securing him a spot as an announcer or speaker when his playing days are over. They can even produce, display and distribute media that will feature a client.
IMG goes beyond football and represents athletes from a variety of sports. They cover the gamut from baseball, soccer, tennis, golf, motorsports, rugby and Olympic sports. Their first client was Arnold Palmer and he is still relying on them for representation after 40 years. Along with players they also represent coaches and managers in most major sports.
Condon is a tough, shrewd negotiator who isn’t afraid to go to the mat for a client. Recently he attacked the website NFLDraftBible for claiming that several participants at the NFL combine, including some who are IMG clients, tested positive for recreational drugs and performance enhancing substances. The NFL supported Condon’s counter charges that the reports lacked substance and had no evidence to back the accusations. USC LB Brian Cushing is a client of Condon’s and the site accused him of testing positive for steroids. Condon labeled their report a vicious lie and challenged them to support their statement. While the site has refused to remove their report, they have yet to produce any credible evidence to back their singular claim.
Currently his toughest battle may be securing a contract for his client Marvin Harrison. Harrison was released by the Indianapolis Colts and Condon has been trying to shop him to other franchises in need of a competent receiver, or a club house presence. Harrison’s achievements have been reduced courtesy of injury and factoring in his age, a decline in numbers over the last two seasons and an economic situation that demands accountability in spending Condon may have to work a miracle to land a deal for his 37 year old client.
Many are predicting that Harrison will go unsigned in 2009, or he will be forced to return to the Colts who have offered him a diminished role for less money than he desires, but Condon has worked miracles in the past. After telling the San Diego Chargers that his client Eli Manning would be a better fit for the Giants, only to have SD draft him anyway, Condon landed Eli in Giants blue and watched his client cement his reputation with a Super Bowl victory and MVP award.
Sensing that the economic waters of the NFL were becoming turbulent Condon struck an early deal with the Chargers to keep Tomlinson in their fold. L.T. passed on free agency and settled for less cash than he previously wanted, but the deal was fair in today’s market and that is the type of knowledge that Condon brings to the table. It’s a buyers’ market and protracted negotiations could lead to players being left out in the cold and forced to make deals to play next season. Knowing when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em is tantamount to being a successful agent.
Another upcoming negotiation for Condon will involve the new contract for Giants QB Manning. Stories regarding the signing are so prevalent that in February Condon received a call from his mother congratulating him on the new deal he secured for Manning. Condon had to tell Mom it was just a rumor and nothing has been signed by either the Giants or his client.
This deal may be the pinnacle for Condon for several seasons. While the economy will not turn quickly and must remain a consideration there is no doubt that Eli will be highly coveted and the Giants must agree to a substantial deal, or risk losing a QB who continues to improve.
Condon’s influence in the NFL is undeniable. He is a former NFLPA president who represented the controversial Gene Upshaw. His firm holds the negotiating rights for many of the top players in the game and his name appears in articles as often as the names of players he represents.
The face of sports will be undergoing further transformation as the world’s economic ills play themselves out. As the economic story transpires any player with a talented, knowledgeable and savvy agent will have an advantage in contract negotiations. Condon’s clients can rest assured that they are in capable hands. As for owners and GM’s they know that Condon will continue to seek the best for his clients without compromising the integrity of the game. That’s a fair and equitable way to negotiate even if it sometimes gets a tough as what plays out on the field.
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