Agent Black Hands Over Clients

Veteran player agent David Ware of Atlanta will assume representation for the 40-plus NFL clients of beleaguered agent Tank Black of Columbia, S.C., both men confirmed for SportsLine on Tuesday. Black has been under fire for months, with allegations that he illegally recruited players from the University of Florida, Louisiana State University and the University of South Carolina.

Last week, the NFL Players Association, which regulates and licenses agents, proposed that Black be suspended for three years. Black announced he will appeal the NFLPA's decision and he has filed a lawsuit against the association.

"What (Black) has asked me to do is simply represent his clients in contract negotiations and all contract related business," Ware said. "The players need and deserve representation. Really, I had no hesitation about proceeding with that kind of understanding."

A press release issued by Professional Management, Inc., the agency founded and owned by Black, stated that it had "selected" Ware to handle its clientele. But Ware said he is "not working for" Black and that there are no corporate documents between the two. Said Ware: "I am paid by the (clients), not by Tank."

Ware debunked a published report earlier this week that he, Black and another Columbia-based agent, Ricky Lefft, would form a corporation separate from PMI in an attempt to circumvent the NFLPA ruling. Ware has been an accredited agent since 1985 and currently represents retired Detroit Lions star tailback Barry Sanders.

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