How young are juniors in American sports when they are talent-spotted ? First, at how young can the talent scouts spot a future star at baseball, hockey, basketball and American football ? How , if at all, do the teams get any control over the youngster?

Chelsea, our richest soccer club, has just signed a 14 year old. Nothing very odd there except that the boy has been signed to another club for the last four years and that club wants £100,000 ($190,000) compensation. So he must have been under contract since 10 years old.

Another club, Manchester United have allegedly paid £1 million (c $1,9 million ) for a twelve year old.

Of course these children don't sign; the deal is that the parents undertake that the boy will not play for any team, even at school, without the consent of the club, that his training and play will be uniquely under that club's supervision and that the boy will sign as a player for two years at 16. That's how the club protects its investment. There's no guarantee that the boy will sign for much beyond 18, as an adult, but the club hopes that he will and it will offer a big contract if he is good enough.
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07-20-06, 11:40 PM
DorianGreyed
A month or so ago, I saw a TV news magazine about shoe manufacturers "recruiting" basketball players as young as 12. Presumably, as long as the kids remained stars, they would get paid.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,