Cast aside by the Jets and a budding star with the Patriots, diminutive tailback Danny Woodhead has cast aside his representation, according to Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald.
Woodhead had been represented by Hometown Sports Management of Helena, Montana. The two-agent group had negotiated an extension for Woodhead during the 2010 season, which carries him through 2012. He reportedly received a $425,000 signing bonus, a salary of $550,000 in 2011 and $700,000 in 2012. He also can earn a possible $1.175 million in playing time incentives between the next two seasons.
Woodhead’s new agent isn’t known.
The decertification of the NFLPA resulted in the lifting of all restrictions on agents, meaning that any other agent could have wooed Woodhead without risking any professional consequence. That said, any agent that swipes a client can now be sued for tortious interference with business relations; previously, agents had to use grievance procedures available through the NFLPA.
And absent any certification requirements, any person can be Woodhead’s agent, regardless of background, knowledge, skill, education, or any other credential.
UPDATE: Rapoport reports that Woodhead has changed agencies, but not agents. Chris Gittings has left Hometown Sports Management, forming his own agency.