Welcome back to The Most Valuable Agent podcast!

In this power-packed episode, Matt and Brian Hannaford unpack one of the most critical—but often misunderstood—aspects of a player’s career: how to actually maximize your relationship with your agent.

Whether you're navigating college recruiting, exploring NIL deals, entering the MLB Draft, or managing life in pro ball—having an agent isn’t enough. You need to know how to be a strategic partner in your own success.

From walking on at Arizona State to negotiating multimillion-dollar contracts, Matt and Brian share lessons learned on both sides of the player-agent relationship—along with hard truths every athlete and family should hear.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why college baseball is now a business—and how to approach it like one

• How NIL and the transfer portal have changed the game forever

• The “freedom point” every player should define to stay grounded

• How your honesty, interest, and communication affect your agent’s ability to advocate for you

• The #1 mistake players make when choosing an agent

• What a great agent-client relationship really looks like (spoiler: it’s not hand-holding)

• A behind-the-scenes look at the Austin Riley extension and what it reveals about long-term planning

• The 7 essential questions every player should ask before signing with any agent

This episode isn’t just about representation—it’s a masterclass in agency, alignment, and personal ownership.

If you're a player, parent, or coach looking to navigate the complex world of college recruiting, NIL, and pro baseball with clarity and confidence—this one’s for you.

👉 Ready to take control of your future?

Subscribe to Most Valuable Agent Youtube Channel for more content: https://www.youtube.com/@mostvaluableagent/

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RESOURCES + LINKS

ALIGND Sports: Elite Representation. Strategic Growth. Maximum Impact.

From contract negotiations to career development, we put athletes first—helping you secure your future on and off the field.

Ready to take your career to the next level? Book a 1:1 consultation with Matt HERE.

FOLLOW

Brian Hannaford: @bhannafo

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford