Bill tightens rules on sports agents
Posted: 02.26.2009 at 11:08 AM
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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma House has voted to make collegiate student-athletes who are underclassmen off-limits to professional sports agents.

The House voted 79-13 Thursday for the measure by Rep. Todd Thomsen of Ada. Thomsen is a former punter and kicker at the University of Oklahoma.

The measure would prohibit sports agents from having any communication with student-athletes who are ineligible to be drafted — with the exception of distributing general promotional brochures.

Thomsen says the NFL Player's Association already bars professional sports agents from having contact with non-draft eligible underclassmen. But he says the league doesn't have the resources to effectively enforce the rule.

The measure now goes to the state Senate for debate and a vote.