PCA
Negotiator Service -17/01/13
The PCA Negotiator Service has been in operation for five years and has now
helped over 100 players.
The PCA can help you in the
negotiation of your County contract, or if you have been offered a new contract,
or are renewing an existing contract.
The service aims to take the strain out of what is effectively the most
important element of your career pathway, and it can be helpful for
somebody removed from your everyday position to discuss your affairs with club
officials.
‘‘We recommend that all our players use the
PCA during contract negotiations as we feel they always have the best interests
of the player at heart. They also have the knowledge that allows them to
benchmark against other players within the game, which I believe generates more
realistic salary expectations and leads to a better negotiated settlement. In
many cases, agents’ demands are unrealistic and this can lead to a poor
relationship between the player and the club. Money is unnecessarily filtering
out of our game into the hands of agents who charge the player, or try to
charge the club, for a service that the PCA currently provide free of
charge as part of their ongoing commitment to player welfare.’’
David Smith, Chief Executive of Northants
Led by Jason Ratcliffe and Ian Smith, the service is absolutely
free and is part of our membership offering.
It can involve the 'full service' from starting discussions and building a
plan, to entering negotiations with the club that concludes in a renewal
at your current club or a smooth moving process to pastures new. It could also just
be a phone call to Jason or Ian to check your 'current value', or to help build
a structured plan that you carry through on your own.
The service tries to ensure that the player concentrates on
playing and in every case the player’s interest is at the heart of any plan and
advice.
‘‘The main reason l
initially got an agent was to assist the negotiation of my contract. After
three years, l realised that l was paying for a service that l could get
through the PCA free of charge.This however, was not the main reason l chose to
use this service from the PCA. With the amount of information the PCA has
access to, they are able to negotiate accordingly. Additionally, when they do
negotiate, you can rest assured they are doing it with your best interests at
heart.’’
Matt Spreigel, Northamptonshire CCC
For
the majority of young players who have little 'commercial value', contractual
negotiation will be the most important aspect of their career to sort out.
The PCA are not ‘anti agents’, however, the existence of the service challenges
you to consider whether you need an agent, who will inevitably charge you for
his or her services, and whether an agent will add genuine value to your negotiations.
Click here for more information on the PCA's Negotiator Service
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