Q&A with Sports Agent David Imonti

Love the Game is publishing a series of interviews with sports agents on Wednesdays. Today, 37 Hockey’s David Imonti talks about starting a business venture at age 19, leaving North America for Europe, and fighting friends and clients.

Who are some of the clients you represent?
Lou Dickenson (Edmonton Draft pick), Steve Makway (Memorial Cup Champ), Ryan Held (New [J]ersey Draft pick), Ryan Campbell, Travis Banga (CHL All Star). I started my first agency when I was 19 years old and sold it in 2006 before graduating college and playing hockey myself. I started a new agency and only in the business part time for now.

What made you start an agency at the tender age of 19?
I always wanted to get involved in [something] like that, I had a friend [I] played with at Weber State make team USA for the World University games and do quite well at the tournament so [I] got him a job and the rest kind of went from there...

When you’re recruiting a player, how do you establish a relationship with the player? What do you look for, or think about, or present that makes you stand out from any of the other agencies/agents?
I approach it in a professional way, but also try to build a friendship with my clients. I have done a good job [with] the players I previously have represented, and word of mouth is the best tool in this industry. All my clients are friends first, clients second. This way we know that [everyone’s] best interests are at heart.

How do you separate work and pleasure, partner and friendship?
I am a real personable guy so everything kind of blends together... I approach my life business first, friendships second. Everyone wants to know what you can do for them all the time so I do what I can do and go from there...

Players leaving North America to play in Europe is nothing new but what is the allure about the European leagues? How was your experience playing for Les Peaux Rouges d'Evry in France? What are you thoughts on the KHL?
Players in the minor leagues want to play in Europe because the season in essentially half the work for the same, or in most cases more money. This preserves their bodies and allows them more time to enjoy the towns they are living in and embrace the culture. Most players aren’t getting rich off of their hockey careers, they still will have to get a “real” job when they retire. [T]hey might as well have some experiences when they call it quits.

I enjoyed my time in France, the management treated me great, and it was great to kind of see firsthand what kind of situations I had been putting my clients in for years. The European game just wasn’t for me though, and a family member became ill so [I] left the club at [C]hristmas to be closer to home.

I think the KHL is a great alternative for lower end NHL players or those AHL players that may never get into the NHL full time.

What types of “real” jobs do players get when they retire? How many pull a Brett Favre and come out of retirement? What is your reaction to Blue Jacket’s Stefan Legein retiring at age 19?
I have seen players do anything from construction, to sales, to coaching, to firefighting and/or police work, or even go back to school to be lawyers or doctors. Not many come out of retirement because unless they were elite players it will be hard to land a job. Legin [probably] just lost the passion. There gets to be a certain point for most players where they stop loving coming to the rink each day and every game or practice seems like work. This is the time you should hang em up and [unfortunately] this comes earlier for some than others.

How has your four years of collegiate hockey with Weber State University, and tier II junior hockey in the U.S. helped you as a sports agent?
My collegiate and Jr. hockey has helped me as an agent because I can relate to clients and teams because of personal experiences. I am familiar with the workings of hockey on a business and sport level so I feel it helps me avoid certain situations for my players, as well as help my clients deal with things they might be going through because I have experienced many of the [same] situations myself.

In 2007-08, you led Mon Valley Thunder in fighting majors, fourth in PIM. Are you a fighter, not a lover?
Ha, when [I] got to Mon Valley they [didn’t] have a fighter and I wasn't getting the bounces [I] needed to score goals so [I] kind of assumed the role of the fighter. I played about 1/3 of the games everyone else did and I think I barely edged 2 of my teammates out for the fighting major lead. I have always been an agitator, but this was the first time [i] have [ever] been a fighter and people say they would never know I liked to fight if they [didn’t] know my hockey background because I am so relaxed all the time. I guess sometimes you have to do what you have to do to help the team.

Are the fights real? Have you ever fought someone who is now your client or friend? Do you think fighting should be eliminated in hockey?
I have fought both clients and friends, it [isn’t] a big deal you never stress about it after the game. it is all in the heat of the moment, nothing personal. The fights are real, sometimes more planned than others, but every fight serves a purpose so it should in no way be eliminated from the NHL..

What about your job do you think is most surprising to someone on the outside?
That [it’s] not all glamour like the TV shows and movies make it out to be. [I] was so young when [I] started out, I had to work 20 hour days sometimes just to gain my credibility and get the job done. I was competing against other agents who had been around for years, and building relationships with coaches and management in both [North America] and Europe is very difficult when you are a 19 year old kid. Now the hardest part is staying up with new coaches and management as the turnover is so high each year, and dealing with constant requests from clients who aren't happy with their situations.

People have this old-fashioned notion of agents that they get a 10 percent commission. How does it work?
I charge a small up front fee for rookie clients, and a 2-5% commission on their contract. European teams pay me a standard 5%, and established players in [North] America pay me 3-5%. The only way I will ever take 10% is if it is a bonus that I negotiated into a contract as that does not reflect on the salary a player made.

What’s the craziest deal you’ve done?
I [don’t] know what the craziest deal is I have done, but I have sent players to crazy places like Serbia, [C]roatia, Holland, Belgium, China, Lithuania, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, and [S]pain in addition to the traditional hockey countries like [N]orth [A]merica, [G]ermany, [A]ustria, [N]orway, [S]weden, [F]inland, etc.