On January 15, 2016, the NCAA passed a bylaw reversing (to a certain degree) its previous prohibition on amateur players selected in the annual MLB First-Year Player Draft having an agent representing them in contract negotiations with the team by whom they were selected. To date, the new bylaw has only been adopted by member institutions of the “Power 5” conferences: Big Ten, SEC, ACC, Big 12, and Pac-12. However, this bylaw is permissive legislation, meaning all other non-Power 5 conference Division I NCAA member institutions have the option to opt-in and follow the new rule, as well.
Bylaw 12.3.1.1 states:
“In baseball, prior to full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual who is drafted by a professional baseball team may be represented by an agent or attorney during contract negotiations. The individual may not receive benefits (other than representation) from the agent or attorney and must pay the going rate for the representation. If the individual does not sign a contract with the professional team, the agreement for representation with the agent or attorney must be terminated prior to full-time collegiate enrollment.”
It’s important to note that this bylaw only applies to high school players currently committed to schools within one of the Power 5 conferences. Student-athletes currently enrolled at one of the Power 5 schools are still prohibited from hiring an agent, but they are permitted to hire an advisor.