The role of sports agents in men’s basketball in a small island state

Abstract

This study explores the role of sports agents in men’s basketball on the small European island of Malta. The limited literature on sports agents considers them as athletes’ key advisors throughout their careers. The impact sports agents have had and continue to have on player careers and the basketball industry is investigated in this qualitative study. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders in the Malta basketball scene including professional male basketball players that have played on the island, sports agents who have represented players in Malta, league representatives such as club presidents, and coaches with experience in coaching men’s basketball in Malta. Results indicate the role of sports agents as being influential in facilitating contract signings of professional players. Sports agents are seen as beneficial in a professional basketball player’s career, but they may also be difficult to deal with, especially for clubs. In addition, the interviewees spoke about how sports agents have influenced the overall average skill level of the Maltese men’s 1st Division league, providing modes of improvement for Maltese basketball in general.