Randy Hendricks

Randal "Randy" Hendricks (b. November 18, 1945 in Missouri) is an American attorney and sports agent considered a pioneer in the field of sports representation.Fact|date=October 2007 He is managing partner of Hendricks Sports Management in Houston, Texas.

Qualifications

* Bachelor of Science degree in pre law/finance, with honors, University of Houston, 1968
* Doctor of Jurisprudence, with honors, University of Houston Law Center, 1970
* Chancellor, Order of the Barons, University of Houston Law Center, 1969, Articles Editor, Houston Law Review, 1969-70.

Career

He practiced law with the Houston firm of Baker Botts out of law school. While there, he represented his first professional athlete. In 1971, he joined with his brother, Alan, to form Hendricks Sports Management. Hendricks was involved in the movement for free agency, a change for professional athletes from the reserve system. Hendricks concentrated on this area until the players earned their free agency in the late 1970s. He has continuously represented a significant number of professional athletes for over 35 years.

The Hendricks brothers formed Hendricks Sports Management and built an agency which represented approximately 10% of all major league baseball players for nearly 20 years. In 1999, the Hendricks sold their company to SFX Entertainment, where Randy became chairman and ceo of the baseball group. Following the conclusion of their management contracts in 2004, the brothers reformed Hendricks Sports Management, which reestablished their profile as leaders in their industry.

Hendricks is the author of "Inside the Strike Zone", published in 1994 and nominated for the Casey Award for best baseball book for that year. Hendricks has negotiated many record contracts, and his recent $28 million contract for Roger Clemens is the highest in the history of baseball.

Recognition

Randy Hendricks has been named the top agent by Baseball America, and among the 100 most powerful people in sports in the United States by The Sporting News. Forbes magazine recently recognized him as one of the most effective agents for his clients.

Hendricks holds the best lifetime winning percentage as an advocate in arbitration and collusion cases, and is known for his preparation and advocacy. His standing for over 35 years at the top of his industry is unparalleled in his fieldfact|date=September 2008.

Criticism

Hendricks has been characterized as willful and disinterested in the feelings of fans. He has said that he is a fan himself, but that his duty is to his clients, not to the general public. He has been praised by many management executives for his preparation and commitment to clients, and criticized by others in management for what they perceive to be a sometimes brusque style.

References

*Schwartz, Peter, "Baseball's Best Agents", Forbes, June 20, 2007.
*Mullen, Liz, "Hendricks brothers rocket back to top", Sports Business Journal, June 25, 2007.
*Handrinos, Peter, "Baseball Men: The Agent", Yahoo!Sports, Scout.com, September 21, 2005.
*The 100 Most Powerful in Sports, The Sporting News, January 1, 2003.
*Schwarz, Alan, "Double Agents", Baseball America, March 4, 1996.
*The 100 Most Powerful in Sports, The Sporting News, January 1, 1996.
*Lingo, Will, "Top Power Brokers", Baseball America, January 20, 1996.
*Power Brokers, Baseball America, January 23, 1995.
*Power Brokers, Baseball America, January 11, 1993.
*Sperry, Paul, "Baseball's Hendricks Brothers", Investor's Business Daily, September 22, 1992.
*Duffey, Gene, "Dynamic Duo Raise the Stakes", Houston Post, June 23, 1991.
*Newhan, Ross, "These Guys Really Know How to Win", Los Angeles Times, February 24, 1991.
*25 Most Influential People in Baseball in the 90's, The National, February 19, 1991.
*Perkins, Dave, "Hendricks brothers are a real big hit when money is on the line", Toronto Star, February 19, 1991.
*Antonen, Mel, "Let's Make a Deal", USA Today, December 20, 1989.
*Custred, Jayne, "Hendricks a major league name", Houston Chronicle, July 27, 1989.
*Fisher, Anne B, "Five Stellar Advisors", Fortune, Fall, 1989.
*Rendon, Ruth, "Not-so-secret agents", Houston Chronicle, May 8, 1988.
*Pate, Steve, "Double Agents", Dallas Morning News, July 1, 1987, reprinted by permission in The Texas Bar Journal, November, 1987.
*Hand, Kenny, "Cooler Heads Saved Season", Houston Post, August 11, 1985.
*White, George, "Agents and Owners", Houston Chronicle, December 9, 1984.
*Hand, Kenny, "Contract Diplomats", Houston Post, January 22, 1984.
*Okrent, Daniel, "The Pitchers Right Arm", Texas Monthly, May, 1981.
*Hand, Kenny, "Hendrickses: Dynamic Player Agents", Houston Post, March 18, 1980.