“Do we really want to create a system where players feel obligated to hire lawyers simply because they are lawyers rather than experienced agents?”

Most of the agents I know are lawyers by trade. I think the distinction is in the agreement between the player and the agent/attorney, not in the latter’s professional background.

I love the fact that Chris Weinke and Josh Booty can be professional athletes as baseball players but are considered amateur athletes as 22 year old football players that spent the past four years in minor league baseball.  I understand the argument that allows this to occur but I struggle with it as I considered them ‘professional athletes’ that played baseball - not as professional baseball players that played amateur football (if you can call Div I NCAA football an amateur sport).

BTW - Saw Josh Booty at a Seadogs game and he had a rocket arm that caught my attention as he was throwing lasers across the infield.  After looking him up in the program and seeing he had a .225 BA in double AA I knew he would not be making it in the majors (though he did get a Sept call up due to his contract).