Not everyone is on board with the NCAA's new agent testing.
A number of agencies that represent NBA players are planning to boycott the institution's new mandatory certification process, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.
The collegiate sports body reportedly sent a memo to agents Thursday reminding them to apply for NCAA certification before the Sept. 30 deadline. But several firms - including some major organizations - are choosing not to participate in the in-person testing currently scheduled for Nov. 6 in Indianapolis, Charania adds.
Passing a qualification exam is one of several new requirements the NCAA implemented this summer for agents hoping to represent draft-eligible prospects. The association drew widespread criticism after raising the necessary qualifications in August, with most of the ire directed at a new college degree requirement for agents.
Some NBA players, including LeBron James, believed the new degree criterion was directly aimed at Klutch Sports Group founder Rich Paul, who does not possess a college degree; the requirement was colloquially dubbed "The Rich Paul Rule." Paul has served as James' agent since 2012 and represents a number of other NBA stars.
Mere hours after Paul penned an op-ed in The Athletic criticizing the new standards, the NCAA suddenly amended its requirements. Prospective agents without degrees may still represent draft-eligible players provided they are in good standing with the National Basketball Players Association, though the NCAA did uphold its certification exam requirement.
