Sports Management Podcast

John Viola - One of the First Modern Football Agents

John Viola · May 13, 2024

Entrepreneur · Leadershipin

Interview with John Viola

John Viola - One of the First Modern Football Agents

Podcast: Sports Management Podcast

May 13, 2024 · 35 min

Welcome to episode 148 of Sports Management Podcast. John Viola is one of the first modern football agents in the UK. John is a former insurance broker from Scotland who later transitioned into a football agent, which you will learn more about in this episode. He is still an…

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John Viola - One of the First Modern Football Agents

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Sports Management Podcast

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Key topicsDemystifying the Career of Being a Football AgentJohn can discuss the intricacies of the role of a football agent, breaking down misconceptions and shedding light on the essential skills and qualities needed to succeed in the field. By sharing his own journey from leaving school with minimal qualifications, to a financial services background, to becoming a FIFA licensed agent, he can inspire listeners to consider a career in football intermediation regardless of their professional origins. Navigating High-Stakes TransfersDrawing from his extensive experience in negotiating high-profile transfers, John can offer insights into the complexities and challenges of navigating deals at the highest levels of the sport. He can share anecdotes and lessons learned from brokering deals involving renowned players and top-tier clubs, providing valuable behind-the-scenes perspectives on the dynamics of player representation and club negotiations. How to Become a Football AgentJohn simplifies the journey to becoming a football agent, offering practical steps and insights gleaned from his own experience. Listeners gain a clear understanding of the industry's dynamics and the essential skills needed to succeed in this competitive field, empowering them to pursue their dreams with confidence. View all topics →

About John Viola

Intermediary Expert, Football Agent & Advisor

35+ years Inside professional football1,000s Football-agent students taughtSince 1995 FIFA-registered football agent2 UK club records Transfer and wage records broken

John Viola, an esteemed figure in the realm of football agents, brings over 25 years of invaluable experience from the football industry. As one of the pioneering FIFA licensed agents in the United Kingdom, John has established himself as an industry leader renowned for his adept negotiation skills and remarkable track record.

Throughout his illustrious career, John has orchestrated numerous high-profile and global transfers, earning him an esteemed reputation and profound respect across the industry. Breaking UK club transfer and wage records, representing multiple Champions League/World Cup winners and dealing with some of the sport's biggest clubs internationally are among his most notable achievements.

With a commitment to professionalism, ethics, and reliability, John has cultivated an extensive network of contacts and relationships with key decision-makers in football clubs worldwide. His influence extends beyond traditional agent roles, as evidenced by his creation of an online training system, the John Viola Academy, which has garnered significant success in guiding aspiring individuals into the intricacies of achieving a dream career as a football agent.

Beyond his accomplishments in player representation, John is a leading educator and chairman at the John Viola Academy, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of football agents.

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About this episode

Welcome to episode 148 of Sports Management Podcast.

John Violais one of the first modern football agents in the UK. John is a former insurance broker from Scotland who later transitioned into a football agent, which you will learn more about in this episode. He is still an agent to this day, but with 30+ years of experience in the industry, he is now focusing on sharing his knowledge with the new generation. He has Stared JV Academy and is offering online E-learning courses about the football agent industry.

In this episode, we spoke about:

How John became an agent The football potential in Africa How a delivery guy ended up working for him Dealing with high profile individuals The importance of networking Why he had to pay 100,000 pounds to become an agent And much more!

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/etVfeLD37kw

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:43 Becoming a Football Agent

06:08 The Football Agent Industry

07:26 Becoming a Successful Agent

09:08 Importance of Networking

12:25 Handling Rejection, Developing Resilience and Negotiating skills

15:19 JV Academy: John's online learning courses

18:01 Helping Others In Their Educational Pursuits

28:07 Advice For Newcomers In The Industry

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