Your point is well taken but I think agents may be a little premature given this stage of the game. I would say a financial advisor/ or planner would be very beneficial. But that’s true for like 95% of people.
Regarding the American players, it’s not like they have a 401k they can contribute to. So they’re truly on their own in regards to retirement planning. If they don’t want to end up broke like some of the players before them, a solid financial plan from the jump would prove invaluable.
An agent can handle the travel arrangements, looking for the best deal, and ensure the player gets to and from the event, to include decent lodging. Acquiring the appropriate visa ahead of time for international travel is also an important need that some pros today neglect and miss the event because of it. A pro can invest in a SEP or another retirement savings vehicle. There are other services an agent can do for the pro player who travels the globe. When the money payouts get larger, a good agent will be a Godsend, allowing the pro to practice and stay in stroke.
Granted, today there is no need for an agent, but with the payouts rising, I think it would benefit the pro player to have one to handle issues that will arise, to include perusing contracts that may be forthcoming when pool gets into mainstream. There will come a time when advertisers and sponsors will not be a pool-related industry, and a good agent will navigate the contractual agreements to ensure the pro is getting the best deal possible.
Some pros have spouses that handle these kinds of logistics and financial decisions, but most are single. Ronnie O'Sullivan has Robbie, his mate, friend, and agent who handles everything for him, shown here with glasses in the winner's circle. This allows Ronnie to focus on practice and other activities in his life. From left to right, Ronnie's dad; Robbie; Ronnie's daughter Lily; Ronnie himself; Betfred's founder, Fred Done; and Ronnie's son, Ronnie Jr.
