Knowing When a High School Scouting Service is Legit

A “real” scout and company will have built relationships with regional college coaches.

The recent shenanigans on exhibit by so-called agent/scout Kenny Rogers in the Cam Newton recruiting brouhaha has cast an unfavorable and inaccurate light on the business of scouting and the activities of those associated with legitimate high school scouting organizations.  Although Rogers’ role in the ruckus allegedly occurred  following Newton’s transfer from the University of Florida and one-year stint at Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas, the word “scout” has surfaced enough that Rogers’ involvement could confuse many parents, coaches and kids about legitimate scouting services.  We’re here to clear up the murkiness. 

Point One:  As a foundation, it is important to know that Rogers was apparently tied to two different and conflicting businesses.  It has been reported that Rogers worked for a Chicago-based professional athlete agency run by an Ian Greengross whose business is currently under investigation by the NFL for “violating numerous provisions of the NFLPA’s agent regulations while recruiting and representing players.”  In an announcement describing the complaint, Rogers’s activities were also called into question. 

Point Two:  Rogers also has been connected to a sports camp company known as Elite Performance Camps.  Although the former Mississippi State football player’s name is nowhere to be found on the company’s Web site, it is widely known that Rogers heads up the organization.

Point Three:  The high school scouting industry is closely regulated by the NCAA and any individual working both the professional and prep sides of the process, as Rogers apparently has managed to do, is an obvious and direct conflict of interest. 

Point Four:  Legitimate high school scouting organizations such as National Scouting Report are held to a clear standard in regards to their scouts’ activities.  Detailing all the nuances of the NCAA regs would be extraneous, to say the least, but suffice it to say that the NCAA tells us that we cannot do the following:

• Accompany, or provide transportation for, a prospect to a college campus.
• Negotiate scholarships for client-prospects.  We may advise parents and prospects of their options during the recruiting process; we may not under any circumstances negotiate with a coach or school on behalf of our client.
• Give inside information to one coaching staff which we would not also provide to all coaching staffs.  For instance, if a prospect has had a problem with a knee or shoulder and we divulge this information to one coaching staff, it is our obligation to divulge this to all coaching staffs which show an interest in the prospect.
• Receive compensation based on results.  In other words, we are required to charge clients up front for our services, not according to whether or not a prospect receives a scholarship offer or the size of the scholarship offer.
• Charge one client for specific services and charge another client a different fee for the same services.  For instance, we are not allowed to discount our services to a group of individuals (teams) while simultaneously charging non-group members different fees for the same service.  And, we are not allowed to offer “specials” on fees.  All prospects must pay the same fees for the same services.       

When approached by anyone claiming to be a high school scout, be certain to ask the following questions:

1. Which company do you work for?  It is crucial that you research on the Web any person or company which claims to be in the high school scouting business. 
2. How long has the company been in operation?  Longevity is a key in the high school scouting business.  Scouting companies come and go, so verifying a company’s, and a “scout’s” history is essential.
3. How many local or regional high school athletes have you represented?  Certainly, legitimate companies will hire new scouts in new areas, but if a scout has been working in the area for a significant period of time with positive results, it is a good bet that you will be well served by this individual and organization. 
4. Do you offer discounts?  If the scout says yes to this question, run away.  This practice is not allowed by the NCAA under any circumstances. 
5. Do you have a contract?  Prior to agreeing to pay any scout, you must sign a contract which provides specific services which the company commits to performing.  Legitimate companies will list a number of services they agree to conduct on your behalf.  Companies which are dubious in their dealings will be unable to substantiate these claims with proof of having done so for other clients.   

At NSR, it is our ongoing goal to comply with all NCAA rules.  In our 30 years of conducting business in high school scouting and college recruiting, NSR has never, not once, been investigated or sanctioned by the NCAA for any rules violations.